Earlier this month Minister McEntee announced an allocation of €3 million in Budget 2025 to support the recommendations of the Review of the Role of Expert Reports in the Family Law process.

The review, published in June 2024, examined the commissioning, availability, content, and use of these reports, which may be ordered by the court on any aspect of the child’s welfare (welfare reports) or on their views and wishes (‘voice of the child’ reports). The review set out 20 recommendations for reform.

The first goal of the Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025 is, “to ensure that the needs of children are at the centre of the family justice system, that their voices are heard and considered, and that they are supported in their own individual journey through the system”.

Commenting, Minister McEntee said, “Ensuring the voice of children is heard and their best interests are given paramount consideration are not just important aspects of family law, they are constitutional requirements.

“Expert reports can be helpful in assisting judges in making difficult decisions which are often required in such cases.

“Funding is also being made available for a Children’s Court Advocate pilot project to support children and assisting them in having their voice heard in family law proceedings.”

In addition, the Chief Justice Mr Donal O’Donnell 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, who is also a member of the Family Justice Implementation Group.

The Committee has concluded its consultation with relevant stakeholders in the family justice system and will now consider the responses received. It is expected to complete its work in the first quarter of 2025.

A ‘Voice of the Child’ working group has also been established and will meet for the first time on October 16^th to examine the effectiveness of the current arrangements for hearing the voice of the child in private family law cases and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes.

Minister McEntee added that the implementation of these actions is “critical” to ensure the family justice system “places children at its heart”.

NB – This is a guide for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have an issue requiring legal advice, please contact any of the team at Nolan Farrell & Goff LLP, whose numbers can be found on our website www.nfg.ie, or email info@nfg.ie.