Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his response to recent comments from a person (details supplied) that family policy in Ireland adds to child poverty and to family poverty in very real ways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5889/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The comments to which the Deputy refers were made at a conference entitled, Being a Father at Christmas, which I opened and which was funded by my Department as an event marking the 10th Anniversary of the UN International Year of the Family.

The comments particularly referred to the way in which the State intervenes in families where separation occurs and the approach of statutory agencies to children and fathers in that situation.

When families separate, members of the resulting two households will be poorer as a result. Disputes can often arise over access to and custody of children, which can also have a negative impact, sometimes severe, on all concerned.

One important response to this has been the establishment of the Family Support Agency in May 2003 which draws together the main family related programmes and services developed by the Government since 1997. These are designed to promote continuity and stability in family life, help prevent family breakdown and support ongoing parenting relationships for children and local community support for families. The agency's functions include: the provision of grant aid for voluntary and community organisations providing marriage and relationship counselling services, child counselling services and bereavement support for families; and the provision of a family mediation service throughout the country for couples who have decided to separate. The service is designed to help couples to reach agreement on issues such as the family home, financial arrangements. This can greatly assist children in retaining close bonds with both parents where possible and avoiding costly litigation.

The major social, demographic and economic changes taking place requires, however, the ongoing modernisation of all policies and programmes across Government that impact on families. It is possible that many current policies may no longer be achieving the desired outcomes, or achieving them to a sufficient degree, because of the change circumstances of families.

It may also be the case, as the expert cited by the Deputy states, that some policies may be adding to the problems rather than resolving them.

It is for that reason that a strategic approach to the provision and further development of supports for families is being developed by my Department through an interdepartmental committee. This will include ongoing analysis and monitoring of the changes taking place, which impact of families, evaluation of the effectiveness of the supports in place for families to meet their care responsibilities and discharge their other functions, a coherent, integrated and comprehensive strategy approach containing clear objectives and targets for improving and further developing supports for families in a changing society.

One aim of the strategic approach will be to identify and remedy policies which are not achieving the desired outcome. It will also facilitate dialogue with stakeholders, other interested parties and experts in the ongoing evaluation and further development of policy. I hope to bring forward appropriate proposals arising from the current examination later this year.