Guardian ad litem in the Guardian ad litem (GAL) National Service

Guardian ad litem in the Guardian ad litem (GAL) National Service, An Executive Office of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality's mission is to fund and deliver services supported by policy and legislation that realise people's rights, promote equality, celebrate diversity and that maximise opportunity to participate in society, particularly by children, disabled people and those experiencing inequalities.

The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022, which provides for reform of the guardian ad litem system, was signed into law on 19 July 2022. This replaces the existing provision in Section 26 of the 1991 Child Care Act. The passing of this legislation enabled the Minister to establish a new Guardian ad litem national service as an Executive Office of the Department.

The establishment of the National Service will lead to the opening of regional offices in the coming months. These offices will be located in Dublin, Cork and Galway. From these bases, the Guardian ad litem National Service will provide a service to children and courts in every county in Ireland.

The GAL National Service is now seeking to recruit Guardian ad litem's (GAL's) across these locations.

Reporting to a Regional Manager for oversight of their work, a GAL will perform duties in line with the role and function set out in Section 35E of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday 15 th January 2026.

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Acts.