Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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605. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the legislative timeline for the progression of the family courts Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50124/22]

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 Bill will provide for the establishment of a Family Court as divisions within the existing court structures. There will be a Family High Court, a Family Circuit Court, and a Family District Court, each dealing with family law matters as appropriate to its jurisdiction.

The drafting of the Family Court Bill is at an advanced stage, with a view to publication of the Bill as soon as possible in this Dáil session.