The number of couples seeking mediation to help them negotiate their separation is expected to double this year, according to the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern. He said that last year over 520 couples were assisted in coming to agreement by the service. More than 580 couples had been seen by the service up to June this year.
Mr Ahern was opening a new family mediation service office at St Stephen's Green House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin. He said the new premises would enable the service to deal with increased numbers and train additional mediators.
The service was now available in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Wexford, Athlone, Dundalk, Tralee, Galway, and Tallaght in West Dublin.
The spending on the service would be £1.2 million this year, compared to £300,000 in 1997, he said.