Child protection cases being delayed for years

Complex child protection cases are taking years to move through the courts, plagued by multiple adjournments, poor co-operation between gardaí and social workers, limited judicial resources and limited specialist services for the victims of child sex abuse.

Even though the cases involve applications for care orders to remove children from risk, they can take up to three years to conclude, often with multiple lawyers, and multiple expert witnesses involved.

The deficiencies in the process are highlighted in a new report by the Child Care Law Reporting Project (CCLRP) which looked at 10 lengthy complex cases and interviewed 40 of the key personnel involved.