Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 462: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to expedite the family breakdown and dispute mediation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15050/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Last month I formally launched the Dolphin House Family Mediation Initiative which is a joint initiative by the Legal Aid Board, the Family Mediation Service and the Courts Service. This pilot initiative provides the availability of both mediation and legal aid services within the one location with a view to encouraging more people to avail of mediation when seeking to resolve disputes relating to custody and access. I am pleased to say that since commencement on 21st March 2011, the initial indications of its uptake are encouraging and I hope that it will prove to be a blueprint for such services in the future.

I welcome the fact that the Legal Aid Board has in recent years taken a very active role in encouraging and facilitating the greater use by its own solicitors of mediation and other options to help resolve marital disputes and that its chairperson, Anne Colley, is also acting as chair of a working group on the Dolphin House initiative. As indicated in the Government's Legislative Programme, my Department is in the process of developing proposals for a Mediation and Conciliation Bill to provide a framework for the better operation of alternative dispute resolution in our legal system.