Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 9 May 2023

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth

General Scheme of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion

Mr. Cormac Quinlan:

Even outside of the current review process all children in care, up to the age of 18 if they remain in foster care, are subject to ongoing review. That is meant to involve parents and others, including the foster carers. Even on a full care order, a child is subject to a review within the first two months of coming into care, then every six months thereafter for the first two years, and annually after that. We involve parents in decision-making. I agree this fundamentally relates to a child's rights perspective and supporting foster carers in their role, particularly where there is a full care order. This is a child who will most likely be remaining with this carer.