Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 Oct 2003

Vol. 573 No. 1

Written Answers. - Family Support Services.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

131 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress which has been made on the Forum on the Family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24212/03]

Families and family life are undergoing profound changes in Ireland. The main reasons include the increasing participation of women in employment, difficulties in reconciling work and family life, growing incidence of marital breakdown and lone parenthood generally, ageing of the population and the likely growth in the numbers of dependent elderly.

The Family Support Agency was formally established in May of this year to draw together the main family-related programmes and services developed by the Government since 1997. Its functions include the provision of services in relation to family mediation, marriage and relationship counselling and family support services, dissemination of information on family related services and programmes, including parenting, and support for the promotion and development of family and community services. The agency is currently finalising its strategic plan on implementing its functions for submission next month in accordance with the requirements of the Family Support Agency Act 2001.

It is against this background that I began in May this year, five years after publication of the report of the Commission on the Family, a nationwide consultation on the future development of family policy. The fora are designed to provide me and my officials with an opportunity to hear the views of a cross section of family members from different regions of the country and those who work with them, including public representatives. Their views are being sought on the main challenges that confront families today, the effectiveness of Government policies and programmes in supporting families to meet these challenges, and on what the priorities should be for strengthening families. Part of the process includes workshops on parenting, balancing work and family life, the family as carer and relation ships in difficulty. These workshops allow a more focused examination of the issues and the identification of the supports families need to carry out their important role.
To date three fora have been held in Donegal on 1 May, Kilkenny on 25 September and Cork on 9 October, with two further fora planned for Galway on 6 November and Dublin on 4 December. Reports on each forum meeting are being drawn up. A final thematic report that will draw together all the issues raised is being prepared. Already a clear picture is emerging of the concerns people have on family-related issues, the type of policy developments desired and the priorities for action. The thematic report is scheduled for publication in early 2004 at the start of the tenth anniversary of the UN International Year of the Family.
The Irish Presidency, with the support of the EU Commission, is also planning to hold an international conference in Dublin on 13-14 May 2004 to mark this year entitled, Families, Change and European Social Policy. This conference will address in an international context many of the issues being discussed at the fora. Drawing on the views and analysis emerging from this consultation process, it is my intention to have a clear, coherent and comprehensive statement of family policy prepared by end 2004. This will be designed to address the profound changes for families and family life taking place and to identify priorities for strengthening families in the key contribution they make to the well-being of their individual members and society as a whole.
Barr
Roinn