Strengthening the family key objective, says Coughlan

SUPPORTING and strengthening the family in the face of mounting pressures, such as divorce, is one of the Government's key objectives, Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Coughlan said yesterday.

“Our objective is to protect the family, to support the stability of family life and to address the effects of divorce on families,” Ms Coughlan told the first meeting of the Family Support Agency (FSA).

Until recently, she said, very little research had been carried out to establish the issues families are facing. One of the key objectives for the new agency is the development of a research programme in this area. Chaired by former minister and EU commissioner Michael O’Kennedy, the nine-member agency will deliver services to families and advise on family policy.