Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

When will the proposed service begin? If it is to start in Dublin, will it only apply to the three Circuit Courts dealing with family law in Dublin? Guardianship and custody disputes relating to children are dealt with in the District Court to a greater extent than in the Circuit Court.

Care proceedings relating to children are dealt with exclusively in the District Court. For years District Court judges have been crying out for a coherent and dedicated service to provide welfare assessments relating to children and family assessments to assist them in their decision-making. Such decisions are often made by High Court judges.

Why is it deemed this service should be provided for Dublin Circuit Court judges, and some outside Dublin, but to none of the Judiciary dealing with family cases in the District Courts or the High Court? Will the Minister of State acknowledge it is preferable to provide a dedicated family and welfare assessment service, available to all the Judiciary dealing with family cases?

Will the Minister of State explain why child psychiatrists, who frequently assist the courts in such cases through private payment, are excluded through the proposed scheme?

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