Launching the guidelines, Mr O’Callaghan said: “At the heart of this work is a simple but fundamental principle: what a child has to say matters. They have a right to be included and heard in family law proceedings when decisions are being made that will affect them.

“These guidelines will help ensure a consistent and high-quality approach to supporting children to express their views in family law proceedings and will strengthen our efforts to build a more child-centred family justice system.”

The guidelines provide, for the first time, a comprehensive framework for the preparation of Voice of the Child Reports in private family law cases. They are designed to improve the child’s experience of having their voice heard in private family law proceedings, increase confidence and understanding in the process among children, families and practitioners, and promote consistency and high standards of practice nationwide.

The guidelines are grounded in the Lundy Model of participation and emphasise that children should be provided with the opportunity to express their views in a safe, supportive and age-appropriate manner. They also recognise that while every child has the right to be heard, every child equally has the right not to express a view if they do not wish to do so.

A consultation process was carried out with children and young people to ensure their voices and feedback were considered and played a pivotal role in shaping the development of the guidelines and templates.

The publication of the guidelines forms part of a broader programme of family justice reform. Alongside this work, the department will shortly establish the Children’s Court Advocate Pilot Project in Waterford and Clonmel, which will trial a new way of supporting children to have their voices heard in private family law proceedings.

Mr O’Callaghan has secured €2.503 million in the Estimates for 2027 to fund the pilot project.

Mr O’Callaghan thanked the members of the Voice of the Child Working Group and all those involved in developing the guidelines, acknowledging their expertise, commitment and collaboration in delivering an important resource for children, families, practitioners and the courts.