On 4 April, the Child Care Law Reporting Project’s website, www.childlawproject.ie, was launched at the National Library of Ireland. The project was established to examine and report on child care proceedings in the Courts, under Section 3 of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007 and in accordance with the Regulations made under the Act (SI no 467 of 2012).
The project is under the direction of Dr Carol Coulter, former legal editor of the Irish Times. Bulletin readers may recall the launch of the project in November 2012.
The project aims to:
Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, welcomed the launch of the website and commended Dr Coulter and her colleagues on the important and innovative work being carried out. Speaking at the launch, Judge Rosemary Horgan, President of the District Court, said that the initiative would help dispel public misapprehensions about the area. “Given the gravity of such cases, a greater degree of information outlining the role, practices and procedures adopted by the courts in such instances is vital...This will enable the public to have a greater understanding of the vast range of issues presented in these cases and the methods which the courts use to make their decisions” said Judge Horgan.
The first 30 reports are available on the website at present and will be updated regularly. The project receives support from the One Foundation, Atlantic Philanthropies and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. It operates under the umbrella of the Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) but is entirely independent of these organisations.
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