Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 341: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will support persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [5632/09]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way the counselling service she announced recently will be delivered; the groups or organisations responsible for delivery of the service; if existing counselling services will be offered the opportunity of applying for funding in order to deliver the service; when she expects the service to be available to persons who feel in need of counselling; the way they can apply for the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6042/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 355 together.

The Family Support Agency provides funding through a Scheme of Grants to voluntary and community organisations providing marriage and relationship counselling, marriage preparation courses, child counselling in relation to parental separation and bereavement counselling and support on the death of a family member. The focus of the scheme is on the development of support services in the community for families to enhance stability in family life and to assist families and their members deal with difficult circumstances, which they may experience.

Over €11m was made available under the Scheme for 2008 and 600 organisations received funding. The budget for the Counselling Grants Scheme in 2009 is €11.89m. A press release was issued to the national press in November 2008 inviting applications for funding. A letter issued directly to organisations who had previously received funding, notifying them of the scheme for 2009. It was also advertised on the website of the Family Support Agency. There have been almost 590 applications.

As part of the overall budget of €11.89m to support counselling services, funding of over €7.8m for 29 major organisations (including Accord and MRCS) who have been identified for multi-annual funding was recently announced. The balance of applications for funding are currently being processed and there will be a further announcement on funding for these in the coming months.

It is open to individuals who feel in need of counselling support to approach their local service provider. A guide to local organisations providing counselling and support can be found on the Family Support Agency's website at http://www.fsa.ie/supportdirectory/sfdir_06.pdf

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is the main Government funded service which provides assistance to people who are over-indebted and need help and advice in coping with debt problems. The service is available at 65 locations nationwide, through the Telephone Helpline 1890 283 438 and the MABS website www.mabs.ie.