Latest news and blog » Children & Family Relationships Act 2015 2016-11-13

This Act amends the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 aswell as numerous other enactments.

The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 seeks to protect the best interests of the child and refers to European legislation, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and our own Constitution.

Changes envisaged in the Act are reflective of new family formations. Many children in Ireland today are now growing up in households led by single mothers, single fathers, cohabitating couples, a grandparent or homosexual parent/parents.

The marital family remains recognised in Articles 41 and 42 of the Constitution as being the most important social unit in the State. Children born outside of marriage should not be unequal.

The range of people who may apply for Orders in relation to children has been significantly broadened by the Act, as has the definition of family members.

The new Act does not address the issue of surrogacy.

Children can now enjoy a legal relationship with those who care for them on an ongoing basis and play a significant role in their lives.