Bill alarms children’s rights expert

A CHILDREN’S legal rights expert has expressed alarm at proposed changes to the way the HSE funds representation for vulnerable children in the courts.

Freda McKittrick said the Child Care (Amendment) Bill threatened the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) service, designed to give a child a voice in court proceedings. The HSE currently pays any costs incurred by the service but, under the proposed amendments, the HSE will only have to pay costs it deems are “reasonably” incurred.

Ms McKittrick, Guardian Ad Litem for Barnardos, said this could compromise the independence of the service. “It may cause difficulties where the GAL is in direct conflict with the HSE. This is not in the child’s best interest.”

Her concern was raised jointly by Barnardos, the Irish Association of Young People in Care and the Irish Foster Care Association in a joint submission to Government in January.

The three also expressed concern that the bill failed to address weaknesses in the systems and procedures for placing children in care. “In particular, the group is concerned the current drafting of the Bill cements the current system in place rather than striving to build on existing structures and services to improve outcomes for the vulnerable children.”