Mediation service for couples closes down with no warning
A notice put up on the door of the Family Mediation Service, run by the Family Support Agency (FSA), informed the public the service had been moved to Wexford.
The Wexford office, where two part-time mediators work two days a week, already had a six-month waiting list.
According to Labour TD Ciara Conway the move will leave vulnerable people without a service in their area.
She had been contacted by a grandfather whose daughter, after a lot of effort, was “number 27” on the waiting list.
“The service only operated one day a week from rented offices, where we understand the rent continues to be paid although no service is operating,” she said.
“I am angry about this as people only found out when a notice was posted on the door. For somebody who is at crisis point it is very difficult to get in touch with someone.
“For families and children who need access to this service, these waiting times are just not expectable.
“The relocation of this service to Wexford makes it more difficult for those from West Waterford to access the Wexford-based service.
Ms Conway said it was not yet clear which department would be responsible for the FSA but that she would be raising the issue with the newly appointed minister in the coming weeks.
Mediation helps couples who have decided to separate or divorce to negotiate their own terms of agreement, taking into account the needs and interests of all involved, and without going to court.
The Family Mediation Service is a free state-run service staffed by professionally trained and accredited mediators.
The service encourages co-operation to work out a mutually acceptable arrangements around issues like parenting, financial support, the family home and property and pensions.
There are 16 offices located around the country. According to its website, four of the offices are full-time and 12 — now 11 — are part time.
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