Minister for Children James Reilly needs to make a full statement about funding cuts to marriage counselling service Accord, it was claimed. Accord, a Catholic Church-run agency, lost €378,000 in State funding for 2015.
Fianna Fáil Senator Thomas Byrne said the reduction in funding would now become an issue in the same-sex marriage referendum debate.
“It sends a message that if you go against the Government on any issue, there will be consequences. That is unhealthy in our democracy,” he said. “It won’t change my vote but it is giving people a reason to vote No.”
The Government insisted the decision – which was made by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency – had nothing to do with the referendum.
Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív said the Minister’s silence on the decision was “strange”. “I would like him to give an explanation. It is very strange and the silence makes it stranger. If there is an explanation for it, let’s hear it.”
Starved
Bishop of Elphin Dr Kevin Doran said the move would add to church leaders’ fears that Catholic agencies which did not support the Government’s position would be starved of funding.
Dr Reilly insisted the decision had nothing to do with the referendum. His spokesman said: “Whether there is a Yes vote or a No vote, Accord are assured by Tusla to receive €1.6 million for their counselling services in 2015.
“Tusla has a total of €6 million for counselling services nationwide. Accord will receive over a quarter of that budget.”
Tusla chief executive Gordon Jeyes said the decision to cut funding was made by the organisation’s executive and put to the board with no involvement by Government.
A Tusla letter to Accord informing them of the decision was dated May 7th. However, Tusla said its budget was signed off by Dr Reilly on April 17th and approved by its board on April 24th.
‘Lordships’
Mr Jeyes said he “never wanted or expected it to coincide with the other debate which Ireland is presently having”.
Labour TD Pat Rabbitte said he had heard "lordships on radio" complaining they had funding reduced because of the referendum.
The church was ignoring the fact that other charities, including Barnardos and women’s refuges, had also taken a hit, he said.“It is clear to everybody, and ought to be clear to their lordships, that Tusla has a funding problem, having taken over new responsibilities this year.”
David Quinn of the Iona Institute said the cut in funding to Accord was "appalling".
“When the economy is starting to recover, to simply axe almost €400,000 the State was giving the main marriage preparation organisation for its courses beggars belief.”
