Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
52. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he would consider changes to protect the rights of non-verbal children in the legal process such as the automatic appointment of advocates to represent the child in any investigation or legal process and specialist training for gardaí and legal professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35572/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to family law, the Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025 is an ambitious programme of reform which sets out a vision for a system refocused on the needs and rights of children, who are central to many family justice matters.
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 the Children’s Court Advocate Pilot Project and the development of a Voice of the Child report template and guidelines.
As part of its work, the Voice of the Child Working Group commissioned a consultation with children and young people to inform the development of the pilot and the report template and guidelines. 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 they are now at design stage and expected to be published in the coming months.
The Children’s Court Advocate Pilot Project will be established in two locations, Waterford and Clonmel in the coming months. The pilot will test a new way of hearing the voice of children in private family law cases and will provide regulation of assessors and consistency of practice. It will be a free service 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. Both the guidelines and the pilot recognise the specific right of children with a disability to express their views freely on all matters affecting them, and to provide assistance to children with a disability in order to exercise that right as provided for under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
My Department has also undertaken a series of reforms under Supporting a Victims Journey to ensure the criminal justice system is more victim centred. These include the establishment of a course in the University of Limerick to train intermediaries to assist vulnerable victims with communication difficulties, including children, in navigating the justice system.
It is important to note that Guardian ad litem (GAL) appointments are made under the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015, the responsibility for which now rests with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality. The Government is committed to delivering a consistent, high-quality, and child-centred Guardian ad litem National Service that strengthens children’s rights and ensures their voices are central in court decisions.
