Birth, Family and Relationships

Becoming a Parent Are you or is someone you know about to become a parent? A guide to State services in Ireland and overview of some of the issues that will concern you, whatever your situation.

Relationships and your rights in Ireland Information on your legal and civil rights in relationships with a focus on civil relationships, marriage, the status of same-sex relationships and the rights of grandparents.

Breakdown of a marriage or relationship The breakdown of a marriage or relationship is a difficult and traumatic process. This document outlines the various issues that may arise.

Family benefits and entitlements There is a range of social welfare, tax and employment related benefits and entitlements available to families in Ireland, depending on their circumstances.

Benefits and entitlements relating to birth
There is a range of social welfare benefits and employment entitlements to support women who are having a baby. Read about them here.

Registrars of Births, Marriages and Deaths
This document explains the requirement to register life events and lists the phone numbers of superintendent registrars of births, marriages and deaths throughout Ireland.

Family Support Agency
The Family Support Agency promotes local family support, helps prevent marital breakdown and supports ongoing parenting relationships with children. Find out more about it here.

EU and family law
The role of the EU in family law is mainly concerned with ensuring that decisions made in one country can be implemented in another. It also has a role in trying to establish which country has jurisdiction to hear a particular case.