It is confidential, it is free, and it gives a voice to children in situations where parents no longer speak. Today the Government is announcing a new Family Mediation Service for the western region.
The State-run service in Galway city aims to serve both Co Galway and Co Mayo. It is part of a nation-wide network offering non-adversarial support for separating couples to underpin the legislation on divorce.
Who stays in the family home? What about finance? How will the children continue to see both parents? These are just some of the questions which arise from separations, questions which the service's professional staff will be handling. The mediators help couples to reach agreement on these issues in a spirit of constructive communication.
That agreement can then be formalised, if necessary, as a legal separation document. Children can also be invited to participate in the sessions.
Since it was established in 1986, the service has helped over 4,100 couples. The Government has trebled its support by providing £900,000 this year.
Altogether, £2.1 million has been earmarked for voluntary groups providing marriage and child counselling, marriage preparation and bereavement counselling and support, says the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
Today's opening will be performed by the Minister of State for Health and Children, Mr Frank Fahey, on behalf of the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern.
A promotional video on the service will be screened at a function to which some 150 representatives from voluntary organisations have been invited. The video will be available to family resource service information centres, citizens' information centres and other similar agencies.
The family mediation service will be based at Ross House, Merchant's Road, Galway, and further information is available from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs at (01) 7043860 or (01) 878-8297.