Shocked by incredible cuts to the Accord agency

Dear Editor, Like many Catholics I’m sure, I was shocked to read that the Government has withdrawn funding to Accord marriage preparation courses (IC 14/05/2015). Whether or not it was connected to the marriage referendum, it was an incredible move from a Government that has been preaching about the importance of marriage over the last few months.

Accord offer a wonderful service both preparing people for marriage and supporting them through difficult times in their marriage.

Young couples are already leaving getting married later in life because they cannot afford a wedding and God help them if they are trying to secure a mortgage for a family home. Why target a service that is aimed at strengthening people’s relationships, so that they can have a happy and fulfilled marriage?

And, most shocking of all, how did it take Tusla five months to inform Accord that they are not receiving their expected funding? I find that extremely unprofessional, and at the most basic level, just plain unfair.

Well done for all the media attention that your story has created around this issue.

Yours etc,

Mary Flanagan,

Ringsend, Dublin 4.