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Family Courts Act activation plan by January

An implementation plan for the Family Courts Act will be published by January 2026, Minister of State for Justice, Deputy Niall Collins said in the Dáil yesterday.

The act introduces specialised family court divisions – including a Family High Court, Family Circuit Court, and Family District Court – to handle family law matters.

Judges with specific expertise in family law will be assigned to these divisions, ensuring better management and more informed decision-making, he said.

“The Family Courts Act represents the most significant reform to the family law system in over a century,” said Deputy Collins.

“It aims to make the process more efficient, accessible, and focused on the best interests of children.”

The new principal judges for each family court division will manage caseloads, ensuring that proceedings are handled in a timely manner.

In the 2025 budget, the Department of Justice allocated an additional €11 million to the Courts Service, with €3 million earmarked for a children's court advocate project.