About Us

The Guardian ad litem National Service is being established under the Department of Children, Disability & Equality. Our role is to ensure that children’s voices and best interests are independently presented to the court in child care proceedings across Ireland.

Joy McGlynn; Head Guardian ad litem

Joy was appointed as Head Guardian ad litem in June 2025 and joins the service with over twenty years’ experience in child protection and welfare services. She is a CORU registered Social Worker and has worked in frontline and senior management roles in Tusla, Child and Family Agency. Her most recent role was as service director for provision to unaccompanied and separated children seeking international protection, and out of hours service provision in Tusla while also leading the strategic development of therapeutic services across Tusla and a revision of the HSE Tusla Joint Working Protocol. Joy was previously a member of the Board of the Legal Aid Board (2011-2016). Joy has a Bachelor in Social Studies (Social Work) from Trinity College Dublin and a Professional Master of Business from University College Cork.

Pat Bergin; Director, Guardian ad litem National Service

Pat Bergin was appointed Director, Guardian ad litem National Service in January 2025. Prior to this appointment, he was Head of Service in the National Forensic Mental Health Service and was responsible for the successful relocation of the Forensic Mental Health and the Central Mental Hospital from the Dundrum site to the new purposely built National Service in Portrane. He previously held the role of Director in the Children Detention Campus at Oberstown and was a driving force in the reform of youth detention between 2013 and 2020. He also previously held roles as Inspector Manager with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for children services, Child Care Manager and General Manager with the HSE and was manager for several Children Residential Services including High Support Units. Pat has BA in Social Care and an Executive master’s in business administration. He co-authored a book, Advancing Children Right’s in Detention: A Model for International Reform; 2022 on the reform of juvenile justice through a children rights lens.

Gareth Clifford; Head of Corporate Services

Gareth was appointed Head of Corporate Services, Guardian ad litem National Service, in March 2025, where he responsible for operational development of the National Service as it prepares for commencement. Prior to this appointment, Gareth was Director of Information & Communications in the Legal Aid Board, where he led a major strategy of organisational change focussed on digital modernisation, strategic. communications and data-driven decision-making. A chartered physiotherapist by profession, Gareth has over 20 years experience in health, quality & change management. He has held roles in St. James’s Hospital, St. Vincent’s Hospital and the HSE, where he led on national programmes on quality improvement, governance and service reform. Gareth holds degrees in physiotherapy and neurology & gerontology from RCSI, as well as qualifications in leadership and change from UCD and RCPI.

The Guardian ad litem National Service is being established under the Department of Children, Disability & Equality. Our role is to ensure that children’s voices and best interests are independently presented to the court in child care proceedings across Ireland.

To ensure that every child in care proceedings is listened to, their views are shared, and their best interests are central to decision making.

To provide a high‑quality, consistent and professional Guardian ad litem National Service that puts children at the centre, makes sure their views are heard, and ensures that an independent assessment of their best interest is available to the court.

The Executive Office of the Guardian ad litem National Service oversees:

• Development of the national service framework.
• Setting professional standards and qualifications.
• Recruitment, training, and quality assurance for Guardians ad litem.
• Governance, compliance, and stakeholder engagement.

Information on the Guardian ad litem Executive Team can be found here.

Recruitment is now open for four Solicitor vacancies within the National Service. The competition will close on 18 March 2026. All of the information is available publicjobs.ie

The Guardian ad litem National Service will have four Regional Managers and there will be regional offices where the Guardians ad litem will be based.

Key milestones:

• 2022: Act signed into law.
• 2023: Appointment of Anthony Douglas CBE as advisor.
• 2025: Executive Office established; Director appointed.
• 2025: Project Implementation Plan Approved by DCDE Management Board
• 2025: Confirmation of budgetary allocation for 2026.

Implementation Plan

The Project Implementation Plan sets out the objectives, key actions, and timelines to guide the establishment of the Guardian ad litem National Service. It provides a structured roadmap to ensure the Service is operational, sustainable and aligned with the principles of independence, quality and child-centred practice.

Implementation is overseen through a dedicated Project Management Board, sponsored by the Secretary-General, ensuring accountability, coordination and progress reporting across all workstreams.

Please find the Project Implementation Plan here.