Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 13 March 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. David Drakeford:

I may come across as controversial but I believe in many cases this is just spin-off, easy funding for people who are not necessarily qualified as child psychologists. My understanding is that many of them do not address the key points. They do not have the necessary qualifications and do not look into the family. I am not saying that is in all cases but it is my experience that it is part of a spin-off industry which is taking more money from already poverty-stricken families. If it necessary to spend €3,000, €5,000 or €7,000 on getting in these specialists, it needs to be subsidised. It is money out of the pockets of the families who are already in dire circumstances.