Section 47 orders

Partner is in the process of divorcing wife. She will not enter in mediation.

There are some issues with the children:

1. School - reports for all are not great, homework is not being done, tests not being sat, non attendance reports over 20 days in all children's cases - has been reported before to Tusla for this.

2. Hygiene - children are coming to us for sleepovers without overnight bags being packed, wearing dirty clothes, hair not being brushed and thick with grease, toenails not being clipped etc - the school have reported this before to Tusla but standards slipping again (mother immaculately groomed at all times)

3. Bedtimes - children are 14 / 9 / 8. The two youngest are regularly up til 10.30pm / 11pm on school nights on tablets unsupervised. Eldest up all night gaming.

Children live approx. 110km, mother does not work, myself and partner work full time, him on shift and we live in a 1 bed apt its all we can afford, children are seen weekly and this includes overnights. We do all the collecting of the children from the home mother does not drive.

Our solicitor feels with the issues that are being raised a Section 47 will be needed, does anybody have any experience with these? Costs? Length of time?

Mother is on legal aid and we are paying to we will have to try and fund the majority of this which is going to push us to the limit really.