John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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678. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the development of a new family justice strategy to succeed the current strategy, which concludes in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51338/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The first Family Justice Strategy was published in November 2022 for the period 2022-2025. This ambitious Strategy outlines the steps needed to create a more efficient and user-friendly family justice system that puts the family and children at the centre of its work. This is being achieved through the implementation of over 50 actions across nine goals, with timelines for delivery up to the end of 2025.

A number of these actions have already been completed, with a mid-term progress report published in September 2024. The Progress Report can be read here:

The Family Justice Implementation Group is leading in the implementation of the Family Justice Strategy and comprises representatives of the Department of Justice, the Courts Service, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Legal Aid Board, the Judiciary at District, Circuit and High Court level, and of the County Registrars Association.

While many actions in the current strategy have been achieved, much remains to be done to deliver on others, including preparing for the implementation of the Family Courts Act 2024 and ensuring that our reforms are child-centred and promote their constitutional rights to have their voice heard in certain proceedings. I have asked my officials to continue working to deliver on the current strategy, before commencing work on its successor in due course.