Mediation funds cuts to cost state ‘millions’

TAXPAYERS face a multi- million euro bill because government neglect has pushed a service designed to ease the pain and cost of divorce to the brink of collapse, TDs last night warned.

The Family Mediation Service (FMS) has been crippled by lack of resources leading to key staff posts not being filled and ever lengthening waiting lists.

Labour TD Ciarán Lynch will demand a Dáil debate on what he calls Finance Minister Brian Lenihan’s attempts to wreck the service.