Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One of my priorities in the Department of Justice and Equality is that we move towards a dedicated family law unit within the current Courts Service structures. This will involve capital investment, dedicated judges and something of a transformation of what is a less than satisfactory regime in which the State manages its family law issues. The Act is at a very early stage of preparation. I do not wish to raise the expectations of the committee. I do not expect anything over the course of this summer but I expect we will be in a position to move matters forward somewhat by the end of the year. On the capital side, I am very keen that we proceed on the new family law headquarters in Dublin. A site has been identified. I am anxious to ensure an appropriate level of funding to allow that to commence. In the meantime, I engage regularly with the Courts Service to ensure that people engaged in family law cases can have their matters dealt with expeditiously and effectively. I am a little concerned about the fact that oftentimes, in both Circuit Court and District Court, there is a less than dedicated family regime. I would like to see a dedicated regime rolled out across the country. I would be happy to drop the committee a note in the autumn on the progress made.