The number of new cases seeking judicial intervention in the care of a child has increased by 46 per cent since 2019, new figures show.

Last year judges made care-related orders in respect of 14,985 incoming cases, a rise of 4,694 from four years prior and a rise of 791 since 2021.

New data from the Courts Service record consecutive annual rises since 2019 (the oldest available comparable year) in the number of new childcare cases.

The vast majority of the requests came before the District Court, but 71 were brought to the High Court.

Last year, the courts granted 201 emergency care orders sought by Tusla — the Child and Family Agency — for the removal of a child still at home or who was removed by gardaí. That was down from 233 the year before.