While every effort has been made to ensure the information provided in this webpage is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted by Treoir for any error or omission.
Information Pack 2024
Has brief information on many issues unmarried parents need to think about for example, Money following the birth, Guardianship, Access, Custody, Maintenance, Returning to Education, Pregnancy Counselling services etc. (36+ pages)
Access and Custody
This leaflet explains what access and custody rights mean and describes how to get these rights through agreement, with the help of a third party, or through the courts.
Abduction
It is an offence for a parent or guardian to take or send a child under 16 years out of the State in defiance of a court order or without the consent of the other parent, if that parent is a guardian.
Cohabitants – rights and obligations
This booklet explains the rights and obligations of cohabitants contained in the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010.
Establishing Paternity
This leaflet explains how paternity can be presumed or established and also how it can be declared by the court. We also describe the DNA testing procedure. See the Establishing Paternity section of our website for a limited list of accredited testing services.
Explaining Family Relationships
Is for parents who are not living together. We offer suggestions on how to talk to your child about her/his family situation.
Guardianship
This leaflet explains what guardianship means, who can become a guardian and how an unmarried father can get his joint guardianship rights. We also show how important it is to make a will.
Maintenance
This leaflet explains how to arrange maintenance payments through an agreement between the parents, with the help of a third party or through the courts.
Passports
This information leaflet explains who needs to sign Passport Application Forms where parents are not married to each other.
Registration of Births
Explains how to register the birth, choosing a surname for your child and why it is important to have the names of both parents on a child’s birth cert.
Shared Parenting
Outlines why it is important for children to have both parents in their lives. We talk about the advantages of shared parenting and we offer suggestions that might make shared parenting easier.
Step Parent Adoption
Step-parents can apply to adopt their spouse’s or partner’s child without the partner.
Unmarried Fathers – rights and responsibilities in respect of their children
This information leaflet summarises how a father can get legal rights (joint guardianship) to his child, the legal implications if the mother marries either the father or another man and the issues if his child is being placed for adoption.
Taking the Stand
Is a guide for parents on resolving disputes regarding access, custody, guardianship or maintenance issues. It includes information on mediation, negotiation and going to court. We describe what is involved if you represent yourself in court and what it will be like on the day. (62 pages – only available online)
IMPORTANT!
Following the commencement of legislation (18/1/2016) contained in the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 there are many changes to the law in relation to Access, Custody, Maintenance and in particular Guardianship. See www.treoir.ie for up-to-date information.
Being there for them
Is a booklet especially for grandparents of children whose parents are not married to each other. We outline possible solutions to various difficulties that may arise, e.g. lost contact with their grandchildren. (22 pages). Recent legislation, 18/1/2016, changes sections of this publication.
Family Links Steps and Stages
Has positive pointers for parents who are helping their children to understand their family situation. We give information on shared parenting and step-families. (95 pages)
TREOIR Leaflet
This leaflet describes the nature of our services. It provides: a list of our publications, information on outreach sessions, contact details for The Teen Parents Support Programme (TPSP) etc.
An Examination of the Barriers to Shared Parenting Experienced by Unmarried Fathers-Executive Summary
This report is an executive summary of research which explores the barriers unmarried fathers experience to shared parenting.
Towards Equality for Unmarried Parents and Their Children
A history of the first 40 years of Treoir, The Federation of Services for Unmarried Parents and their Children 1976 – 2016
Guidelines for Best Practice – Teen Parent Support Programme publication
Is a publication for those supporting students who are pregnant and who are parents in our education system.
Legal Information for unmarried migrant parents
Gives information on a variety of issues such as guardianship, access and custody of children, maintenance, birth registration, passports and more, in several languages. Since this information was published in 2006 new legislations has been introduced particularly in relation to guardianship matters. Up-to-date information can be found in the information section of this website, but unfortunately the information is currently only available in English.
Solo and unmarried-cohabitant parenthood and crisis pregnancy in Ireland
The Growing Up in Ireland Study (GUI) was initiated as a part of the national longitudinal study of children in Ireland. This report provides an analysis of data contained in the GUI study and provides baseline data on unmarried parents, living together or apart and some outcomes for their children. The report was undertaken by Dr. Owen Corrigan, Trinity College, and commissioned by Treoir thanks to funding received from the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme. Keyfindings.
Teen Parent Support Programme (TPSP)
This leaflet describes the Teen Parent Support Programme and contains Information on how to contact TPSP.
Watch Them Grow
A significant research study by Dr. Owen Corrigan, commissioned by TREOIR and funded by the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme has been launched. The report gives us a greater understanding of the lives of children in different family types. The research was undertaken using the Growing Up in Ireland study data, a major longitudinal study of children which commenced in 2006, and collected information on 11,134 children and their parents in Ireland when the children were nine months and three years.
Watch Them Grow
Download Key Findings
Key Findings 1 :
Marital Status, Family Transitions and Solo Parents, including non resident fathers.
Key Findings 2 :
Childcare
Key Findings 3 :
Parents’ Health and Parenting
Key Findings 4 :
Child Health and Wellbeing
Key Findings 5 :
Work and Welfare
Key Findings 6 :
Crisis Pregnancy
Establishing meaningful relationships between children and fathers who do not live together: Challenges and solutions: executive summary
Fathers’ involvement in children’s lives has been proven to provide many benefits for the children, the father, and the mother. Yet, in Ireland, we know that the role of fathers can often be marginal for various reasons. This is why Treoir undertook to research the key barriers and drivers of successful relationships between children and their non-resident fathers.
Establishing Meaningful Relationships between Children and Fathers Who Do Not Live Together: Challenges and Solutions: Full Report
Fathers’ involvement in children’s lives has been proven to provide many benefits for the children, the father, and the mother. Yet, in Ireland, we know that the role of fathers can often be marginal for various reasons.
It's not Fair - Storybook and Workbook
If interested please contact Treoir.