Combined Family Law Slides 18.06.24.pptx

Are you aware of the role of TUSLA Child and Family Agency and how it
assists parents who are experiencing child protection law issues?

The jurisdiction of the District Court in hearing family law and child care
law cases, and the practice and procedure of the District Court.


What are the practical steps in obtaining legal aid for family law
and child care law matters?

1. Family and Children Queries Tuesday 18 June 2024, 6pm Hosted by: Shane Reynolds, Partner, Mason Hayes and Curran LLP Eltin Ryle, Senior Associate, Matheson LLP Gavin Rothwell BL, Bar Council of Ireland

2. Child Protection Law The Child Care Act 1991 outlines the key responsibilities and obligations of the Child and Family Agency (also know as TUSLA). Section 3 of the Child Care Act; obligation of the Child and Family Agency to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. Role of Child and Family Agency as corporate parent of Children in Care; access and care planning.

3. Child Protection Law You should always inform Tusla when you have reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been, is being, or is at risk of being abused or neglected Tusla has developed a web portal to allow for the secure submission of child protection and welfare concerns. You can access the portal  here . If you think the child is in immediate danger and you cannot contact Tusla, you should contact the Gardai on  112

4. Child Protection Law Threshold for Voluntary Care Section 4 - W here it appears to TUSLA that a child who resides or is found in its area requires care or protection that he is unlikely to receive unless he is taken into its care, it shall be the duty of the Agency to take him into its care under this section

5. Child Protection Law Consent to Voluntary Care Section 4 - Nothing in this section shall authorise the Agency to take a child into its care against the wishes of a parent having custody of him or of any person acting in loco parentis or to maintain him in its care under this section if that parent or any such person wishes to resume care of him .

6. Child Protection Law Overview of common proceedings under Child Care Act 1991 Emergency Care Order – Section 13 – max 8 days in care. Interim Care Order – Section 17 – 29 days or less in care. Can be extended for longer periods with consent from parents. Care Order –Section 18 – long term order until 18 or as specified. Supervision Order- Section 19 – child remains at home with supervision from social workers. Section 47 – Where a child is in care, the Court can make directions in respect of matter affecting a child’s welfare.

7. Child Protection Law E mergency applications - relevant sections of the Child C are A ct 1991 Section 12 – Removal of child by Gardai where the Gardai are of the view that there is a serious and immediate risk to the child. CFA must bring an Emergency Care Order (“ECO”) application with 72 hours. Section 12.4 Emergency Care Order application can be made following the removal of a child by the Gardaí (ECO application to be lodged within 72 hours of the removal by Gardaí or at the next available court sitting) or Section 13. 1 Emergency Care Order application by the Child and Family Agency where there is an immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of a child.

8. Child Protection Law Most common incidents of concern Child located with parent who is unable to care for him / her due to alcohol/ drug misuse. Parent is suffering from mental health difficulties and unable to care for child. Child presents to hospital with unexplained injury and parent refusing for them to remain in hospital. Young child is in a home unattended by parent or responsible adult.

9. Child Protection Law Threshold for applications for Interim Care Orders Section 17 Child Care Act, 1991 - Interim Care Order can be made for a period of 28 days where the applicant, Child and Family Agency, can show that there is a reasonable cause to believe that: a child has been or is being assaulted, ill-treated, neglected or sexually abused; OR The child’s health, development and welfare has been or is being avoidably impaired or neglected; OR The child’s health, development and welfare is likely to be avoidably impaired or neglected.

10. Child Protection Law Full Care Order Care Order can be granted until the child reaches 18 years or for a shorter duration. Where a child is the subject of a Care Order, the Child and Family Agency shall: Have the like control over the child as if it were his parent; Do what is reasonable in the circumstances of the case for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the child’s health, development or welfare; The Child and Family Agency can provide consent to medical treatment, passport facilities and decide on care plan.

11. Child Protection Law Separated Children Seeking International Protection Separated children seeking international protection are defined as children under eighteen years of age who are outside their country of origin, who may be in need of international protection and are separated from their parents or their legal/customary care giver. T hese children may have high levels of vulnerability and have experienced significant trauma.

12. Child Protection Law Separated Children Seeking International Protection The social work assessment process allows the child to have: Possibility  of family reunification in Ireland or another country; Medical screening and follow up medical care if necessary; Trafficking assessment and abuse disclosure; Psychology assessment and intervention if indicated; Social Care Worker assessment and care; Educational assessment; Obtain a PPSN number; Commence international protection application;

13. Child Protection Law Information for those working with children and families as part of the Ukrainian Response https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/organisations/ https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/individuals-working-with-children-and-young-people/

14. Thank you This material contains general information about Irish Law. It is not intended to provide, and does not constitute or comprise, legal advice and is provided for general information purposes only. Please do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this material without seeking appropriate legal or other professional advice.   Цей матеріал містить загальну інформацію про законодавство Ірландії. Він не призначений та не є юридичною консультацією , а також не містить юридичну консультацію  і надається винятково з інформаційною метою. Будь ласка, не вчиняйте дій або не утримуйтесь від дій на основі будь-якої інформації, що міститься в цьому матеріалі, без відповідної юридичної чи іншої професійної консультації .

15. Child Safeguarding Matters: Garda Vetting Tuesday 18 June 2024, 6pm Hosted by: Shane Reynolds, Partner, Mason Hayes and Curran LLP Eltin Ryle, Senior Associate, Matheson LLP Gavin Rothwell BL, Bar Council of Ireland

16. Garda Vetting Overview National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 (as amended) “The Garda Vetting Act” Significant piece of child protection legislation The Garda Vetting Bureau: Central database for vetting individuals who engage with children and vulnerable persons Mandatory Garda vetting in certain circumstances. This obligation will rest with the employer / community organisation / sports organisation What’s in the Database? List of registered organisations Details of convictions/concerns relating to certain individuals Register of vetted persons An application for Garda Vetting seeks access to this information so that an employer can assess the suitability of an individual to work with children/vulnerable persons

17. Children / Vulnerable persons What is definition of “Child”? A person under the age of 18 What is the definition of “vulnerable person”? Anyone over 18 who: Suffers from a disorder of the mind Has an intellectual disability Suffers from Physical impairment Has a physical disability

18. “Work or Activities” with Children / Vulnerable persons Garda Vetting is required if you engage in “work or activities” with children / vulnerable persons Examples of working / volunteering in the following areas: Pre-schools Schools Hospitals and medical / nursing / pharma work Residential centres Special care units Detention centres Accommodation centres Home tuition Therapy / Counselling Care or supervision of children Educational, training, cultural, recreational, leisure, social or physical activities Advice, guidance or development services Religious services Bus driver for children / vulnerable persons Providers of accommodation for children in home Research work where engagement with children

19. “ Relevant Organisation” Who must apply for Garda Vetting? A person or company that: : Employs any person to undertake work or activities with children / vulnerable persons Enters into a contract with a person to undertake work or activities with children / vulnerable persons Permits any person to undertake work or activities with children / vulnerable persons on their behalf Excludes “private arrangements” made by an individual for their own private purposes. Work or activities in family relationship scenario Work or activities in personal relationship with friends Occasional assistance at school sport or community activity with “limited engagement” with children. Why is it necessary? Criminal offence not to obtain appropriate Garda vetting Fine or imprisonment up to 12 months (Summary) Fine or Imprisonment up to 5 years (Indictment) Also applies to company officers and Directors It is an offence to make a false statement in the course of a vetting application.

20. The Vetting Process Application for Vetting is made to Bureau by a Relevant organisation Name, address, previous addresses, DOB, place of birth, Passport number Etc. Bureau Considers application and examines database for information If “problematic” information is identified the Bureau must contact the Applicant who has opportunity to appeal if information is to be disclosed to the Relevant Organisation Bureau Replies to the Relevant Organisation with “Vetting Disclosure” with relevant conviction (if any) Relevant Organisation makes its decision on whether to employ person. Re-Vetting can occur at set intervals.

21. Offences that will be disclosed in a Vetting Disclosure: Domestic violence Assault Cruelty to Children Reckless endangerment of children Certain Offences under Medical Partitions / Nursing / Midwives / Dentists / Teachers / Pharmacists legislation Firearms offences Intoxicating liqueur / Misuse of Drugs legislation Public Order Offences

22. Notifying Information to the Bureau: Certain organisations are required to notify information to the Garda Vetting Bureau where there is a concern that an individual may pose a risk to children The Health Service Executive. The Teaching Council. The Medical Council. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. The Dental Council. The Health and Social Care Professionals Council. The Mental Health Commission. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council. The Health Information and Quality Authority. The National Transport Authority. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission The Child and Family Agency.

23. Thank you This material contains general information about Irish Law. It is not intended to provide, and does not constitute or comprise, legal advice and is provided for general information purposes only. Please do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this material without seeking appropriate legal or other professional advice.   Цей матеріал містить загальну інформацію про законодавство Ірландії. Він не призначений та не є юридичною консультацією , а також не містить юридичну консультацію  і надається винятково з інформаційною метою. Будь ласка, не вчиняйте дій або не утримуйтесь від дій на основі будь-якої інформації, що міститься в цьому матеріалі, без відповідної юридичної чи іншої професійної консультації .

24. Family and Children Queries Tuesday 18 June 2024, 6pm Hosted by: Shane Reynolds, Partner, Mason Hayes and Curran LLP Eltin Ryle, Senior Associate, Matheson LLP Gavin Rothwell BL, Bar Council of Ireland

25. Family Law Applications Issues relating to children Issues relating to domestic v iolence Issues relating to separation and divorce

26. 1. Court Applications Relating to Children: Usually made in the District Court Heard privately Free Legal Aid is available if you meet certain financial criteria: https://www.legalaidboard.ie/en/contact-us/find-a-law-centre/

27. 1. Court Applications Relating to Children: Access – spending time with your child Custody – having day to day care of your child Guardianship – having legal responsibility for your child Maintenance – getting your ex-partner to contribute financially

28. 1. Court Applications Relating to Children: The Legal Aid Board provides a mediation service The court can order a report by an independent person into: A child’s welfare A child’s views

29. 2. Domestic Violence Applications: Safety Order – prohibits a person from acting in an abusive way Protection Order can be made on a short-term basis Barring Order – prohibits a person from entering the home Emergency/Interim Barring Order can be made on a short-term basis

30. 2. Domestic Violence Applications Some emergency applications can be made with just 1 side present, but usually both sides should attend. Breaching an Order is an offence, and you can be fined up to €4,000 or imprisoned for 12 months. Heard privately

31. 3. Separation/Divorce Applications Most applications are made in the Circuit Court Some applications are made in the High Court (if assets are greater than €3 million) Get legal advice from solicitor before proceeding. You can go to a solicitor privately (you will need to pay them) or apply to a Law Centre for Free Legal Aid https://www.legalaidboard.ie/en/contact-us/find-a-law-centre/

32. 3. Separation/Divorce Applications Criteria for divorce in Ireland: Living apart for 2 out of last 3 years One party must live in Ireland No prospect of reconciliation Proper arrangements must be made to financially look after each party and children

33. Where to get help: Women’s Aid – https://www.womensaid.ie/get-help/support-services/ Men’s Aid - https://www.mensaid.ie FLAC - https://www.flac.ie/help/ Legal Aid Board - https://www.legalaidboard.ie/en/contact-us/find-a-law-centre/

34. Thank you This material contains general information about Irish Law. It is not intended to provide, and does not constitute or comprise, legal advice and is provided for general information purposes only. Please do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this material without seeking appropriate legal or other professional advice.   Цей матеріал містить загальну інформацію про законодавство Ірландії. Він не призначений та не є юридичною консультацією , а також не містить юридичну консультацію  і надається винятково з інформаційною метою. Будь ласка, не вчиняйте дій або не утримуйтесь від дій на основі будь-якої інформації, що міститься в цьому матеріалі, без відповідної юридичної чи іншої професійної консультації .

35. Questions? This material contains general information about Irish Law. It is not intended to provide, and does not constitute or comprise, legal advice and is provided for general information purposes only. Please do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this material without seeking appropriate legal or other professional advice.   Цей матеріал містить загальну інформацію про законодавство Ірландії. Він не призначений та не є юридичною консультацією , а також не містить юридичну консультацію  і надається винятково з інформаційною метою. Будь ласка, не вчиняйте дій або не утримуйтесь від дій на основі будь-якої інформації, що міститься в цьому матеріалі, без відповідної юридичної чи іншої професійної консультації .