Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

79. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is proposed that legislation establishing a new family law court will be introduced in the near future; and the extent to which legislation has been prepared within her Department. [32633/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to significant reform of the courts, including the establishment of a family law court structure that is streamlined, more efficient, and less costly.

My Department is working on a General Scheme of a Family Court Bill and will be engaging in further consultation with relevant stakeholders in relation to the operational aspects of a new family court structure. The General Scheme will be published following its approval by Government and will be subject to the usual pre-legislative scrutiny by the relevant Oireachtas Committee.

The Family Court Bill will aim to streamline family law court processes, clarify jurisdictional issues and provide for a set of guiding principles to help ensure that the Family Court will operate in a user-friendly and efficient manner. The intention is to establish a dedicated Family Court within the existing court structures. The Family Court Bill will also support the proposals in the forthcoming Mediation Bill by encouraging greater use of alternative dispute resolution to assist in more timely resolution of family law cases.