This article is from page 13 of the 2014-06-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
OVER 100 people sought help from an Ennis based relationship counseling service last year, according to new figures.
Figures from ACCORD – an agency that provides counseling and other services for the Diocese of Killaloe – show that seven counsellors from the Ennis centre delivered a total of 785 Counselling Hours to 110 clients who were experiencing difficulties in their relationships in 2013.
A spokesperson for ACCORD said the level of State funding it has received since 209 has been reduced by approximately 40 per cent and a further cut of 15 per cent is expected this year. The figures come as ACCORD prepares to open a new office at the Carmody Street business park in Ennis on Friday.
ACCORD Ennis (formerly known as the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council) is one of 58 Accord centres throughout Ireland. It is the administrative centre for counselling, marriage preparation and relationship and sexuality education schools programme for the Killaloe Diocese, which incorporates both Ennis and Nenagh Accord centres
The first meeting of Accord Ennis was held on September 17 1970 and was chaired by Fr Willie Walsh, who worked with the centre until he was ordained Bishop of Killaloe.
Bishop Walsh continued to support the work of the centre and worked as National President of ACCORD until his retirement. Accord Ennis celebrated 40 years of its existence in 2010. During the 1970’s and 1980’s the centre was located at the Social Service Office in O’Connell Street in Ennis but services were provided around the county in Kilrush, Shannon and Scariff.
In 1988 when the new “Clarecare” building was opened at Harmony Row, Accord Ennis moved to this new location.
Last year nine Facilitators from the Ennis centre delivered 12 Marriage Preparation Courses to 210 couples, choosing to get married in the Catholic Church.
A spokesperson stated, “The Primary Schools Relationships an d Sexuality Education Pilot Programme was launched in the Clare area in 2013. Success in this work is evident from the large number of schools who have booked the programme for their 6th Class students in 2014. While the demand for Accord services continues to grow, we are always seeking to recruit new volunteers”.
Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Kieran O’Reilly will open the new office at the Carmody Street business park at 7.30pm on Friday.