Child Law Project

The Child Law Project, (known as the Child Care Law Reporting Project (CCLRP) until 2022)[1] is an Irish statutory body established to produce research and journalism to examine the "operation of the child care system in the courts with the aim of promoting transparency and accountability".[2] The body sent court reporters to relevant proceedings, including prosecutions of minors,[3] in Irish courts from 2012 to 2024, compiling regular reports.[4][5] The body failed to secure a tender in 2024.[6][7][3]

The project was established in 2012, under the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007,[8] with seed provided by the One Foundation, Atlantic Philanthropies and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.[9]

Family law proceedings in the Republic of Ireland take place in camera,[10] the project follows such cases in the Family Courts.[1][11]

  1. ^ a b "Child care law experts call for dedicated family court following overcrowding evidence". Irish Legal News. 11 March 2019.
  2. ^ MacNamee, Garreth (14 February 2022). "Child Law Project has serious concern about lack of residential places for children with complex needs". TheJournal.ie.
  3. ^ a b Power, Jack (12 October 2024). "Judge expresses 'grave disappointment' after care watchdog shelved". The Irish Times.
  4. ^ Murphy, Ann (8 July 2024). "Judge warns of 'tsunami' of cases due to shortage of care placements for vulnerable children". Irish Examiner.
  5. ^ "Clare Children Reportedly Being "Warehoused" By The State Due To Unsuitable Child Protection Strategy". Clare FM. 5 November 2024.
  6. ^ Murphy, Ann (9 July 2024). "Government commits to fund reporting on court cases involving children in State care". Irish Examiner.
  7. ^ @MCompassMedia (12 October 2024). "O'Gorman stops funding for 10 year old Project ..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ "About the Project". Child Law Project. 9 January 2013.
  9. ^ "Child Law Project celebrates 10th anniversary". Irish Legal News. 20 June 2023.
  10. ^ English, Eoin (8 July 2024). "Operation of in-camera rule in family law system to be examined". Irish Examiner.
  11. ^ "Application renewed and further adjourned to lift in camera rule to refer CFA Signs of Safety policy to Ombudsman for Children - 2024vol1#62". ChildLawProject.ie. 2024.