Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Sep 1995

Vol. 455 No. 8

Written Answers. - Custody Order Statistics.

Ivor Callely

Question:

297 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the total number of custody orders granted from 1 August 1994 to 31 July 1995; 1 August 1993 to 31 July 1994; and 1 August 1992 to 31 July 1993; the parent to which such orders were granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13178/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The provisional statistics in so far as they are available are as follows:—

District Court

Year ended 31 July	Combined Custody and Access Orders	Custody Orders	Total
1993	332	358	690
1994	477	467	944

If there are any changes the Deputy will be informed. Statistics in relation to the legal year 1994-95 are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as they are available.

Statistics in the Circuit and High Courts are not maintained in such a way as to indicate the number of custody orders granted by those Courts. Statistics of all orders including custody orders are made under the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964 for the legal years requested by the Deputy in those courts are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as they become available.

Court statistics are not compiled in such a way as to give particulars as to which parent was granted custody. However, in the vast majority of cases custody orders are granted to the mother.