I thank the Chairman. On a personal note, it is good to be back. As chairman of the Family Support Agency, I appreciate that it is a great privilege for us to appear before the committee again. This is our second opportunity to speak to an Oireachtas committee. On the last occasion we had the opportunity to elaborate on our views of the constitutional committee, of which members of the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs will be aware. That was in April of this year. I am just going to say a few brief introductory words and then I am sure members will want to put questions in some detail to my colleagues.
Mr. Pat Bennett is the chief executive officer. Mr. Bill O'Dea is the head of corporate services and Ms Muriel Walls is a legal expert, particularly as regards family law. The agency was established on 6 May 2003. There are nine working groups under the aegis of the agency and we will furnish the committee with further details on that if it wishes. There are 52 staff, 42 of whom are involved in the mediation services and ten are working in administration at departmental level.
In terms of a breakdown of the agency's funding, some 80% goes to the voluntary and community organisations throughout the country, concerning which further details will be given in the course of the presentation. Some 12% goes to the family mediation service and 8% is for administration. The latter figure is at the lower end, if not the lowest, in terms of administrative costs for any State agency. This is a matter of concern to this committee, as with all committees of the Oireachtas. Again, we can supply further details on this issue, if necessary.
I will mention just a few other matters. There are 12 members of the board, as outlined on page 9 of our submission. Each of these has special qualifications, with the possible exception of the chairman. However, the role of public representative over 38 years should provide one with some experience in that area, with perhaps a little on the legal side as well. The committee can see that there is a wide-ranging representation of people with specialist qualifications and, of course, the Department is also represented, with two members. In terms of our working arrangements, the agency has monthly meetings. The working groups I have referred to also meet at least once a month. The times may vary, according to particular needs. As I am conscious of the constraints on the committee's time, I have decided to give this brief outline without going into further details.
The main services provided by the agency are detailed in the submission, but I will briefly indicate what these are. We have a responsibility to support, promote and develop family and community services and resource centres throughout the country. There are a considerable number and they account for 80% of our budget. The agency supports, promotes and develops the provision of marriage, relationship, child and bereavement counselling services, as well as other family supports. It provides a countrywide family mediation service, assisting persons involved in the process of separation or divorce to reach agreement, where possible, especially in disputes involving children.
Until the early 1950s, when it came to an issue about children, the father had the primary right. That was changed under the Married Woman's Status Act 1957, when both parents were given equal rights in the event of a conflict. We have moved on to a much more enlightened stage, thanks to laws passed by the Oireachtas. The issue is no longer the right of the father or mother but the welfare of the children. That is an important aspect in our considerations.
One of our functions is to conduct or commission research into matters related to our functions, or such other matters that the Minister may request. We have published a number of reports on a variety of topics. There were 14 such reports in the first phase and I have a list of them. They are very useful because the beginning of knowledge is to recognise the extent of one's ignorance. We had much research to do to ensure that we were fully equipped with the necessary knowledge. Since the agency was established, we have undertaken five further research projects. If and when the Minister asks us to look into certain matters, he can refer them to us. Under the legislation, we examine those matters and send a report or recommendation to the Minister.
We see it as our function to strengthen the family in the community where that is feasible. Where it is not effective and where there is breakdown, vulnerability, family tension and things with which public representatives are familiar, our role is to provide services such as counselling, mediation or intervention of one form or another. We try to implement the priorities of the committee and of the Government. If members wish to ask questions, we will endeavour to respond.