Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Child Care Act 1991, Guardians Ad Litem provide a service to the Courts, where a judge may request that a Guardian Ad Litem is appointed to a child who is the subject of care proceedings. They are always appointed where a child is subject to Special Care proceedings. There is a commitment in the Ryan Report Implementation Plan, to engage with my colleagues to agree a future policy management and funding of the service. My Department has had preliminary discussions with the Department of Justice, Equality and Defence in relation to this matter with a view, in particular to improving the quality, consistency and cost effectiveness of the current service.