Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The need for reform of the law governing the guardian ad litemsystem is long overdue. Guardians ad litemare appointed by the courts to make sure young and vulnerable people have a voice in court when life-changing decisions are being made about them. They advise the courts about the wishes and needs of young people and need to represent the interests of young people in the highly stressful atmosphere of a court.

The current Act, as the Minister mentioned, is over 30 years old and does not set out the qualifications required to act as a guardian ad litem. It does not set out the criteria for their appointment, nor does is it define their role or powers. Sinn Féin will be supporting this Bill. However, we will be proposing a number of amendments on Committee Stage to strengthen it. These amendments will ensure the role of the guardian ad litemas an advocate is fully recognised by the court.

At present, the GAL is entitled to the full Tusla files and we are concerned that access to this could be watered down. Deputy Cronin previously mentioned that.

In 2009, the Children Acts Advisory Board published guidance on the role, criteria for appointment, qualifications and training of GALs. This guidance has become a reference point and must now be placed on a statutory footing. As the Minister mentioned, a previous Bill that sought to address this fell with the dissolution of the Dáil in February 2020.

I visited the Tiglin service at Jigginstown Manor two weeks ago. Tiglin provides a full holistic service for care leavers. It has a warm and friendly person-centred approach which supports the educational, training, employment and social needs of residents and this will be offered to all. Its aim is to empower each resident to achieve independence and to become a valued member of the local community. I cannot speak highly enough of its work and I wish it every success. However, it is scandalous that it receives no Tusla funding because Tusla believes there is not sufficient demand. Tusla needs to revisit this decision because the number of care leavers I have assisted over the past two years would have filled this place twice over.

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