Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 July 2014
809. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress that has been made in streamlining the significant excess spent on the legal services for GAL; and if he will confirm the expenditure in this area for the past three years. [32647/14]
View answerIn public law proceedings, under the Child Care Act 1991, a guardian ad litem may be appointed by a Court where the Court considers this necessary in the interests of the child and in the interests of justice. Provision for such services in private family law proceedings is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality.
Responsibility for guardian ad litem payments in child care proceedings transferred from the HSE to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, with effect from its establishment on 1st January 2014. The Agency does not procure or manage provision of these services and it is the Courts which make such appointments and to whom guardians ad litem report in an independent capacity.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Justice and Equality, continues to actively examine all aspects of service provision, including the matter of legal representation for guardians ad litem, with a view to the introduction of regulated and sustainable provision in this area for public and private law proceedings. The aim is to bring forward the necessary reform proposals as soon as possible.
Total full-year expenditure figures available to my Department in relation to GAL services in child care proceedings are as follows:
|
Year |
GAL Costs |
GAL Legal |
Total |
|
2013 |
€7,178,045 |
€4,859,064 |
€12,037,109 |
|
2012 |
€9,832,716 |
€3,968,985 |
€13,801,701 |
