Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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384. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the publication of the Family Courts Bill 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46752/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am determined to overhaul the operation of the family justice system, to ensure we have a more efficient and user-friendly family court system that puts the family at the centre of its work. This is a key commitment in my Justice Plan 2022.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to enact a Family Court Bill to create a new dedicated Family Court within the existing court structure and provide for court procedures that support a faster and less adversarial resolution of disputes. The purpose of the legislation is the establishment of a dedicated Family Court to improve levels of judicial expertise and training in family law matters and streamline family law proceedings, thereby making them more user-friendly and less costly.

The General Scheme of the Family Court Bill has been referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and drafting is progressing with a view to publication of the Bill as soon as possible in this Dáil session.