Minister Fitzgerald releases 2013 Report of Irish Central Authority for International Child Abduction

· 346 applications dealt with by Irish Central Authority for Child Abduction in 2013 with 208 of these being new applications

· Minister says there is a need for a proactive response to the growing global problem of parental child abduction.

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Justice and Equality, has today released the 2013 figures on applications dealt with in her Department in its role as the Central Authority for International Child Abduction. These applications relate primarily to parental child abductions but also include applications for access and relating to the care of children across jurisdictions.

Minister Fitzgerald stated: “Parental child abduction is a growing problem globally, reflecting the greater mobility of people around the world and all the consequences of this. Ireland is no different and it is important that we are proactive in working with Central Authorities in other states in resolving complaints regarding international parental child abductions where they arise.”

Key figures from the statistics published today include:

· A total of 346 applications were dealt with by the Central Authority for Child Abductions 2013.

· 208 of these were new applications, 138 ongoing cases active from previous years.

· Of the 208 new cases, 101 concerned applications into the State (incoming) from other countries while 107 concerned applications from the State (outgoing) to other countries.

· Of the cases still active from previous years, 51 were incoming and 87 were outgoing.

· In line with previous years the majority (49%) of new applications dealt with in 2013 related to the three UK Authorities (England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.)

· Of the applications received in 2013, 52% related to child abduction into or out of Ireland and the remaining applications related to other aspects including international child placements (22%), access applications (11%) and social reports (9%).

Minister Fitzgerald added: “The resolution of issues around parental child abduction is usually by international law but I would encourage any family to try to resolve their differences before such situations arise and avail of the services available to mediate solutions in the best interest of the children and all those involved. The Family Mediation Service is part of the Legal Aid Board and can help families reach agreement without having to resort to court.”

The Irish Central Authority was established on foot of the Child Abduction and Enforcement of Custody Orders Act 1991. This Act gave the force of law in Ireland to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (the 1980 Hague Convention). The purpose of this Convention is to facilitate the return of children who have been taken from one contracting state to another against the wishes of a parent. In addition, there is provision fora custody or access order granted in one contracting state to be recognised or enforced in another contracting state. The Central Authority also operates under Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and in matters of parental responsibility (Brussels II bis) and the 1996 Hague Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (the 1996 Hague Convention). This Regulation and the 1996 Hague Convention enhance the provisions of the 1980 Hague Convention.

12 September 2014