Ireland’s family justice reforms have taken another significant step with a new Family Law Survey announced by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. The move is designed to strengthen how children’s views are heard in court and to shape a future panel of assessors for Voice of the Child and welfare reports in family law proceedings.
Minister Jim O’Callaghan confirmed that the survey is aimed at professionals currently preparing these reports, with the findings expected to support policy development, regulation and more consistent standards across the system. The announcement, published on gov.ie, reflects a wider government effort to place children at the centre of family justice.
Family Law Survey to support child-centred justice reform
The new Family Law Survey will gather information on:
- Professional backgrounds of assessors
- Qualifications and specialist training
- Experience in preparing welfare and child voice reports
- Skills and competencies needed for the role
According to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, this evidence will help inform the development of a Panel of Assessors. That panel is intended to improve access to qualified professionals, support regulation and create more standardised practice in how reports are prepared for private family law proceedings.
Minister O’Callaghan said children must be heard and properly supported throughout their journey in the family justice system. The survey is open from 26 June to 24 July 2026, with stakeholder engagement and follow-up focus groups also planned.
Why these reports matter in family law cases
Voice of the Child and welfare reports are often used in cases involving guardianship, custody, access and domestic violence. They help the court understand a child’s circumstances, welfare needs and, where appropriate, the child’s own views.
This latest Family Law Survey builds on a major 2024 review of expert reports in the family law process. That review set out 20 recommendations to improve quality, oversight, consistency and future use of such reports.
What has already changed in Ireland’s family justice system?
The survey does not stand alone. It forms part of a broader reform agenda involving Justice, Children/Disability/Equality and related public services. Recent progress includes:
- Judicial guidelines on commissioning, preparing and using expert reports in family law proceedings
- A Voice of the Child Working Group developing templates and guidelines
- A Children’s Court Advocate Pilot Service in Clonmel and Waterford
These changes are intended to create common standards and better safeguards for children. They also align with the Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025, especially the goal of supporting children within legal proceedings that affect them.
For readers who regularly use gov.ie and follow Irish state updates from bodies such as the Courts Service, Tusla and the Health Service Executive (HSE), this is an important development because it signals a more structured and evidence-based approach to family law assessments.
Who should complete the survey?
The survey is targeted at professionals preparing reports under relevant family law legislation, including the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, the Domestic Violence Act 2018 and the Family Law Act 1995. Their input will help government understand the current landscape, from training pathways to practical challenges in delivering reports.
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What this means for families and professionals
The Family Law Survey could help shape a more transparent, regulated and child-focused reporting system in Ireland. For families, that may mean greater consistency in how children’s voices are represented. For professionals, it may lead to clearer standards, stronger oversight and improved recognition of specialist expertise.
As reform continues across gov.ie and the wider Irish public sector, this Family Law Survey stands out as a practical step toward making the family justice system more responsive to children’s best interests.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
