Married couples on the verge of separation may not be getting the help they need because they don't have the money. A programme run by Retrouvaille, a Catholic peer ministry, has for the first time since the opening of the Irish office in 1997, run at a loss.
Only 13 couples attended the most recent weekend course at Emmaus Retreat Centre in Dublin, which needs full attendance of 16 to cover running costs.
The €500-programme covers a weekend and four post-weekend sessions during which a couple, who have previously gone through the programme, present their experiences with couples whose marriages are in trouble, or are separated or divorced.
Founder Fr Martin Tierney said this was the first time the programme had not been fully booked. ''I'm worried because those couples are still out there and need help but they haven't got the money, so we're trying to think of some way to get donations.''
Retrouvaille, does not receive any funding from the Dublin archdiocese and receives a nominal amount - approximately €5,000 - from the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
''We don't get much funding but there is a freedom that comes with that. The main body for fostering marriage is the state-sponsored Accord organisation and needless to say receiving significant money from the State must come with strings attached.''
Fr Tierney said it was unlikely the Government would reduce its payment to Retrouvaille.
''The Government is keen on supporting marriage because broken marriages cost the State a fortune in social welfare payments.''
www.retrouvaille.ie
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