Maintenance (of a child or children) A parent is required to maintain (provide care and/or financial support) a dependent child. A dependent child is a child who is under 18 years old or is over 18 and under 23 years old but is still in full-time education. If a court decides that the parent of a dependent child has failed to provide maintenance, it may order that parent to make payments to support the child. Further information is available on these links, Maintenance Orders and agreements and Maintenance and unmarried couples. Leaving home A child can leave home at age 16, provided they have their parents’ consent. No consent is required at age 18. Criminal Responsibility The age of criminal responsibility is 12 years of age. This means that children who have not reached the age of 12 cannot be charged with an offence. There is an exception, however, for children aged 10 or 11, who can be charged with murder, manslaughter, rape or aggravated sexual assault. Where the Gardaí have reasonable grounds for believing that a child under 12 years of age has committed an offence with which the child cannot be charged due to his/her age, the Gardaí must take the child to his/her parents or guardian. Where this is not possible, the Gardaí will arrange for the child to be taken into the custody of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) services. It is possible that children under 12 years of age who commit criminal offences will be dealt with by Tusla and not the criminal justice system. Information on the powers available to Tusla is available on the Children in care link. Violence Against Children & Child Abuse In Ireland, all forms of corporal punishment (physical punishment which is intended to cause physical pain) of children have been outlawed since the passing of the Children First Act 2015. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect children and young people and keep them safe. Child abuse is illegal in Ireland, there are four types of abuse, Neglect, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse and Sexual abuse. For further information go to this link, Child abuse and child protection.
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