A €4 million refurbishment of Dublin's family law facilities was officially opened today by Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan.
Dolphin House on East Essex Street contains five new enlarged courtrooms, judges' chambers, a new waiting area, consultation rooms and enhanced security.
The four-storey Victorian terraced building was converted into a courthouse in the 1970s and this latest refurbishment was designed to enhance the privacy of court users.
Speaking at the opening, Judge Gerard Furlong of the Courts Service Board, said: "All court users and their families have a right to suitable accommodation and facilities.
"This is particularly so in the case of family law.
"Court facilities and accommodation which respects the privacy and dignity of family law applicants are essential and significant improvements have been made at Dolphin House," he said.
Among the new facilities are separate areas for family law applications and enquiries, a legal practitioners' room, consultation rooms, a new waiting area and reception desk, an information point, and enhanced security.
The opening comes just a week after calls from unmarried fathers for an immediate review of family law, which they claim is outdated and needs to be brought in line with European legislation.
A report published last year on the Irish family law system made 45 recommendations to improve the service.
Dr Carol Coulter stated that judges should engage in more training and are assigned to family law circuits for defined periods so that judicial expertise and consistency can be developed.
The report also called on the Government to establish a dedicated, full-time family court division of the Circuit Court.
PA