The report is based on the Child Law Project’s attendance at child protection hearings in the District, Circuit, High and Supreme Courts over a three-year period from mid-2021 until mid-2024. In addition, a survey of one day’s hearings in each regional District Court was conducted, along with a survey of five days’ hearings in the Dublin District Court, in order to collect information and statistics on court practice and on child care applications. Secondary material from Irish and other common law jurisdictions was also used to supplement the analysis.