Church agency cuts ‘not linked’ to Marriage Equality Referendum

The Government has rejected claims that State funding for marriage preparation courses provided by the Catholic support agency Accord was withdrawn because of the church’s opposition to same-sex marriage.

Funding will still be provided to Accord for counselling services from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency which operates under the auspices of the Department of Children.

A spokesman for Children’s Minister James Reilly said Tusla’s decision was not linked to the marriage equality referendum.