Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
947. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to consider implementing regulations to provide for independent oversight of section 32 and 47 assessors in family law proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12843/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra948. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to consider the creation of a reporting mechanism for family law proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12844/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 947 and 948 together.
An independent research report was published in May 2025, on the operation of the in-camera rule in family law proceedings. The report contains 21 recommendations, a number of which related to the promotion of greater transparency, while ensuring that the privacy of those seeking the court’s help, as well as any children about whom proceedings relate, is protected. Officials from my Department are developing policy proposals for reform based on the findings and recommendations of the report.
Related to that, my Department has also recently awarded the tender for the Private Family Law Reporting Project to the Child Law Project. The overall aim of the Project, which will be delivered over three years, is to provide transparency for the public, while ensuring that children’s and parents’ rights to privacy are upheld. It will also increase awareness and understanding of family law proceedings, while building confidence and trust in the judicial determination of such disputes.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring proper regulation and funding for Voice of the Child and Welfare Reports, giving children a voice in legal proceedings that affect them. On foot of the publication, in June 2024, of a wide-ranging review into the role of expert reports in the family law process, there has been significant progress in implementing its 20 ambitious recommendations for reform.
In October 2024, my Department established a Voice of the Child Working Group with membership comprising both statutory and voluntary stakeholders in the family justice system. The group was set up in line with the commitment in Goal One of the Family Justice Strategy, that of “supporting children”. The group is taking forward some of the recommendations in the Review of Expert Reports, including the development of a Children’s Court Advocate Pilot Project and the development of a voice of the child report template and guidelines.
The envisaged role of a Children’s Court Advocate is to support children in their journey through private family law proceedings, providing information and ensuring their voice is heard. €2.5 million was allocated for reform of the process in Budget 2026 and part of that will go towards funding the pilot.
The Children’s Court Advocate pilot will commence in early 2026 and will initially be rolled out in two locations, Waterford and Clonmel. The service will be free of charge for children and their families. Running alongside the Pilot Project will be a comprehensive evaluation to assess its effectiveness in achieving its aim of improving how the voice of the child is heard and considered in private family law proceedings.
The aim of the Voice of the Child Report Template and Guidelines is to ensure consistency of approach by experts in supporting children to have their voices heard. The Working Group has made significant progress on drafting the template and guidelines and I expect them to be published in the coming months.
The Chief Justice has established a Judicial Committee to develop guidelines on the commissioning, content, and use of welfare reports, chaired by the Honourable Ms Justice Nuala Jackson of the High Court. The Committee is being supported by my Department and the guidelines are expected to be published shortly.
My officials have begun scoping work on establishing a panel of assessors.
Once fully implemented, the recommendations in the Review of Expert Reports will improve the quality of expert reports in family law proceedings, standardising practises relating to how they are developed in situations where they are required. They will support the judiciary in their decision making and ensure that children are at the centre of our efforts to improve outcomes for them and their families.
