Dan Neville
Question:200 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the national standards in the provision of an advocacy or guardian ad litem service to children who are subject of legal proceedings. [4192/98]
Written Answers. - Guardians FAd Litem.
Under section 26 of the Child Care Act, a court may appoint a guardian ad litem for a child in any proceedings under Part IV or Part VI of the Act, which relate to care proceedings and children in the care of a health board respectively, where the child is not a party and the court is satisfied that it is in the interests of the child and in the interests of justice to do so.
These arrangements are made at local level at the discretion of the judge and, in the interests of providing an independent voice for the child, guardian ad litem services are often provided by voluntary organisations active in the child care area. I have no plans to issue national guidelines or establish a national panel in relation to this service at present.