New Family Law reporting project welcomed by Kilkenny MEP

Sinn Fein MEP for Ireland South, Kathleen Funchion, has warmly welcomed confirmation that a new law reporting project, modelled on the Child Law Project, will once again build confidence and bring transparency to family judicial proceedings.

Speaking from Kilkenny, MEP Funchion said: “I am thrilled Dr Carol Coulter is once again leading a team to monitor and report on Ireland’s Family Court proceedings. 

“Re-establishing reporting and monitoring of our child care court proceedings is crucial to developing policy and legislation that reflects the lived experiences of our most vulnerable children and their families.

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“Since the end of 2023, there has been no comprehensive monitoring and or reporting on private family law proceedings.

“This needless gap in data collection suggests the Government isn’t serious about making the necessary reforms needed to ensure children do not disappear within our family courts system.

“Dr Coulter’s final report, under the protection of the Child Law Project, coupled with significant criticism from a number of District Court Judges, was a damning indictment of the Government’s over reliance on unregulated residential care. This is a trend which unfortunately has not changed.

“HIQA’s recent annual report alarmingly showed a number of children with complex needs continue to be housed in unregulated special emergency accommodation. 

“Clearly, this is completely unacceptable and further demonstrates a lack of focus from Government on the needs of children. 

“Whilst I am pleased with the re-establishment of this project, and the positive step the Minister has taken in awarding the Family Law Reporting Project a new three-year contract, he must heed their observations and ensure our family justice system and policy is reflective of the lived experiences of children, particularly those in unregulated residential care. 

“There is significant expertise from the non-government sector that wants to see change. 

“The Minister must engage with them and create a pathway for the eventual elimination of children being placed in unregulated facilities.”