Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

545. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on Action 1.7 of the Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025 to ‘Consider the outcomes of the research and consultation on parental alienation and develop appropriate proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24353/23]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

571. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a timeline on the publishing of the parental alienation consultation report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24868/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 545 and 571 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, last year, my Department committed to undertake a public consultation on the issue of parental alienation as part of the Justice Plan 2022. The consultation presented an opportunity for individuals and organisations to offer their views and experiences of parental alienation, its impact and how it could be responded to in the future. It was a completely open process and concluded on 24 June 2022.

All views, opinions and experiences submitted as part of that consultation have been welcomed and underwent a thorough process of review.

The Department of Justice also arranged for independent research on parental alienation to be carried out. A final report integrating the results of the public consultation and commissioned research and outlining any resulting recommendations to inform policy in this area will be published in the coming days.

This marks a another significant step towards reform of the Family Justice System and improving access to justice, as committed to by the Programme for Government and Justice Plan 2022.

Both the research report and the policy paper will be published on the Department’s website in the coming days.