Vol. 488 No. 4
37 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has received the report of the Commission on the Family, which he indicated to Dáil Éireann on 26 November 1997 was expected prior to Christmas; if the report has been submitted to Government; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6302/98]
I understand that due to the scope and nature of the issues involved the finalisation of the report of the Commission on the Family has taken longer than expected. However, I expect to receive the report shortly and I intend to submit it to Government with a view to publication as soon as possible.
I have been advised by the commission that the report contains a comprehensive analysis of issues affecting families. The recommendations will provide the basis for the development of an integrated family policy to strengthen and assist families in coping with change and to put in place the supports to help prevent family breakdown. In addition, the commission has undertaken some original and significant research work which will be of benefit to analysts and policy makers, including a national survey of the child care arrangements which families make, sociological research on fathers and their role in family life and an overview of family policy in Ireland.
The commission brought forward some aspects of the final report for consideration in the context of preparations for the 1998 budget. In response to the commission's recommendations, the Government has provided significant allocations for the development of family services in my Department in 1998 including: — £700,000 for a network of family and community services resource centres (25 centres in 1998), an extra £600,000 for marriage counselling services bringing the total provision in 1998 to £1.5 million and an extra £600,000 for the family mediation service for the establishment of additional centres towards the development of a national service.
