Guardian ad litem reform to be proposed in 2017

Children’s Minister Dr Katherine Zappone will bring proposals for a new statutory national guardian at litem service to Cabinet early this year, The Irish Times reports.

A guardian ad litem is a professional who is appointed to represent the wishes and interests of a child during court proceedings.

Dr Zappone will bring proposals to Cabinet in order to allow the tender service for the national service to begin in early 2018, according to The Irish Times.

Plans for a statutory national guardian ad litem service have been discussed by Cabinet since the Summer.

It is seen by some as a bid to cut down costs, which totalled €8.9 million in 2015, an increase of 7.5 per cent on the previous year.

Twenty individuals and firms acting as guardians to children during childcare proceedings received more than €100,000 each, with just over €3.82 million to the largest provider, Barnardos Beacon.