Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2026
255. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if children may be placed on waiting lists for guardian ad litem appointments under the new service; the way this aligns with the State’s obligation to protect vulnerable children involved in court proceedings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13110/26]
View answerThe Guardian ad litem National Service is a nationally organised and managed service established to ensure that children’s voices are heard, and their best interests are independently presented to the court in child care proceedings, by an appointed Guardian ad litem. The Guardian ad litem National Service, as provided for under the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022, will come into effect mid-2026, following Ministerial approval.
A recruitment campaign to appoint 65 Guardians ad litem is underway through the Public Appointments Service. A process to support the transition to the new service has commenced with direct engagement with all Guardian ad litem as set out in the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022. The option to develop a panel of Guardians ad litem is also planned for the latter half of 2026. All of these measures are in place to ensure that there will be no delay in the appointment of a Guardian ad litem as directed by the Courts.
A project implementation plan has been developed for the commencement of the new service, and this includes capacity planning and resourcing measures to prevent waitlists and any other potential issues that have arisen in similar circumstances abroad. The Department is committed to maintaining timely access to Guardians ad litem for all children.
The Guardian ad litem National Service remains committed to ensuring that the new service will offer structural safeguards and responses within an appropriate timeline. This Department is committed to having a robust staffing model to provide the best possible service to children in Ireland.
