Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of a court welfare system, which should be considered. We discussed it on Second Stage and the Minister acknowledged the issue around support services in the Courts Service, the pressure on the Courts Service, particularly family courts, and the thought that we should establish a comprehensive welfare service that would carry out assessments of the child's welfare and best interests, ascertain the views of the child, carry out family risk assessments and ensure, where appropriate, that supports and services are available to the child and family, including mediation and child contact centres. The legislation is very important in itself but the support services to go with it are also crucial. I want to put on record that we will push that this be done. It is to be hoped the Minister will be able to speak to that.