101 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the number and amount of grants approved by him for each of the past five years for marriage and child counselling in Dublin South West; the comparative figure for the previous five year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12074/97]

A scheme of grants to voluntary organisations providing marriage counselling services was instituted by my Department in 1994 when £750,000 was made available for this purpose. In 1996, and again in 1997, the amount available was increased to £900,000 and the scope of the scheme was extended to include voluntary organisations providing counselling to children whose parents have separated. Prior to 1994 there was no money at my Department's disposal that could be used to fund such a scheme and, therefore, the provision of figures of comparative costs for previous years does not arise.

Two marriage counselling organisations in Dublin South West have benefited under the scheme. Since 1994 the amounts of the grants paid to these organisations are as follows: