Minister for Social Affairs Seamus Brennan revealed today that the Government's Family Mediation Service provided separation counselling to 1,500 couples in 2005 and that 75 returned to their marriages.
Speaking in Dublin today, Mr Brennan said that the role of family support and counselling services in marriage and relationship counselling was of enormous importance to couples coping with difficulties.
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 per cent reached agreement and a further 5 per cent 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 unveiled the Family Support Agency'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.
He also announced the 2006 edition of the Support for Familiesdirectory to community and voluntary groups providing services.
The FSA awarded grants in 2005 totalling €8 million to 547 organisations involved in providing these services.