The Child Law Project has issued a damning report on the State’s handling of child protection cases. 

The study, Falling Through The Cracks, was researched from 2021 until June this year and found consistent failings in a number of areas. 

In a majority of court cases, children's hearings are still presented alongside other cases in mostly crowded court listings.  

“We looked at a typical day in court and it really varies around the country as to how the cases are heard,” Child Law Project CEO Dr Maria Corbett CEO said. 

“But you can see the strain on the courts. 

“In one example, the judge was asked to hear 160 matters in one day and in several cases, the judges were so busy they didn’t break for lunch. 

“We are very much welcoming the new Family Court.” 

A courtroom inside the Courts of Criminal Justice in Dublin. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

The report also found there was a “striking” lack of appropriate care placement for children. 

“There is a need for a new model of placement - which is often described as high support,” she said. 

“It’s there for the children who’ve got disabilities, mental health, behavioural issues. 

“At the moment, we don’t have a placement type to meet their needs and [it would] most likely would involve the HSE and providing therapeutic support.” 

The report concluded there is a need for a “urgent cross-government action” to provide more care places. 

Main image: An unhappy teenager. Picture by: Alamy.com