Mediation service counselled 1,500 couples in year

The Government’s Family Mediation Service provided separation counselling to 1,500 couples in 2005 and 75 of these returned to their marriages, it emerged today.

Social & Family Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan TD said the pressures of modern living was placing increasing demands on individuals and families.

Earlier this year, the Catholic Church’s Accord agency said it provided 30,000 counselling sessions to 12,000 people – its highest total in its 35-year history.

Mr Brennan said his department’s officials resolved conflict situations and helped both parties to reach agreement on central issues such as the family, home, financial arrangements and avoiding costly litigation.

It also ensures children retain close bonds with both parents.

Of the couples who completed the mediation process, 54% reached agreement and a further 5% decided to return to their marriage.

Mr Brennan said: “Increasingly, research is highlighting the importance of marriage and relationship counselling services and supports in assisting couples with difficulties and in assisting them in building new relationships.

“In the rapidly changing society we have in Ireland today such supports are of increasingly critical importance and the services they provide are invaluable.”

Mr Brennan also today launched the FSA’s new website, www.fsa.ie which outlines the core functions of the agency and provides comprehensive information on the counselling, advice and support services it provides.

Funding for the FSA increased this year to over 28 million euro, a rise of 60% on 2004.

In other new initiatives announced today, an additional 60,000 euro will be available in 2006 for research to inform the future development of aspects of public policy.

The minister also launched the 2006 edition of the ’Support for Families’ directory to community and voluntary groups providing services.

The FSA awarded grants in 2005 totalling over 8 million euro to 547 organisations involved in providing these services.

Mr Brennan also confirmed that the target set by the Government under the National Development Plan of funding 100 Family Resource Centres by the end of 2006 will be delivered.

He said: “The services provided by community resource groups are often emotional and practical lifelines for those who may be going through particularly traumatic situations and experiencing a range of problems that combine to leave them feeling isolated and powerless“.