Guide — Ireland
By P.J. Brennan, Section 32 report writer · Updated July 2026
A Section 32 report is a report the court can order in Irish family law proceedings to learn about a child's welfare, or the child's own views, before making decisions about custody and access. It is written by an independent professional appointed by the court. I write Section 32 reports and give feedback on them in court — this guide explains what to expect, in plain language.
When parents can't agree on custody or access and the judge needs an independent picture of what's best for the child — or wants the child's own voice heard without putting the child in the courtroom. The purpose of the report is what is in the best interests of the children, not what either parent is entitled to — that distinction shapes everything about how the report is researched and written.
The report author meets each parent, spends time with the child, and sometimes visits each home. To build a fuller picture, the author also contacts the services around the family:
The finished report goes to the court. The judge — not the report writer — makes the decisions.
Speaking generally from my own practice: the child's needs and views, each parent's capacity to support the child's relationship with the other parent, and patterns of communication and reliability. This is where your day-to-day co-parenting record genuinely matters — calm communication and reliable handovers speak for themselves, while a phone full of angry messages tells its own story too.
I'm P.J. Brennan. I write Section 32 reports for the Irish courts and give feedback on them in court. I'm an accredited family mediator (MII), CORU registered, Parents Plus–trained to deliver the Parenting When Separated course, and I hold a master's degree in Social Science. I've worked with families across Ireland for over 20 years and I'm independently listed in the Barnardos parenting courses directory.
Separation is already an expensive process, and I've been moved by the sad stories behind so many of the families I meet. The Beacon Co-Parenting App is free to use — structured messaging that can never be deleted, a shared calendar, handover confirmations and expense tracking. It helps parents show — not just tell — how they co-parent.
The cost is generally in or around €3,000, and it is usually split 50/50 between the parents. Legal aid may cover some of the cost — ask your solicitor or the Legal Aid Board.
From start to finish, the report should take no more than three months.
As well as meeting each parent and spending time with the child, the report author contacts Tusla, the Gardaí, the child's GP and the child's school to build a fuller picture of the family's situation.
No. The report can give the child a voice without putting them in the courtroom or asking them to choose. The purpose of the report is what is in the best interests of the children — not what either parent is entitled to.
No. The report informs the court, but the judge decides. It is one important piece of the picture alongside everything else before the court.
Going through a Section 32 assessment?
This guide explains what a Section 32 report is and how the process works. For practical advice on how to prepare — what assessors look for in your day-to-day record and communication — see the companion guide.
How to prepare for a Section 32 assessmentThis guide is general information from my own professional practice, not legal advice. Every case is different — always talk to your solicitor about your own situation.
Costs and timelines are typical figures from practice and can vary by case and by report writer.