Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important issue. I am delighted the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is present. I congratulate her on her appointment as Minister and I look forward to working constructively with her throughout her period of office.

As of 31 March 2016, there were 6,405 children in care. Of these, 93% were in foster care, with 4,162 in general foster care and 1,790 in foster care with relatives. The majority of children in care are in foster care family settings in the community. I pay tribute to all the foster parents in Ireland who do, and have done, so much over the years. I raise this matter following the public outcry over a situation where a nine year old boy was taken from the care of his grandparents due to concerns Tusla had regarding their age. Both of them are in their mid-sixties. I am 58 and I have a child aged 14 years. There are many people like me; it is not unusual. It is a strange ruling from that point of view. Incidentally, my wife, the child's mother, is the same age.

While I realise the Minister cannot comment on individual cases, she should know that many people were stunned and appalled to realise that the rule regarding a 40 year age gap was in existence and could be applied in that way. My office has been inundated with calls, e-mails and post on this matter since then. It has terrified grandparents and foster carers throughout the State. It is ageist and discriminatory and must be removed as a rule in fostering arrangements. Recently, I tabled a parliamentary question to the Minister asking her in what circumstances she could instruct or engage Tusla, Child and Family Agency, to alter its policy on a given issue under its remit. The Minister's reply included the following:

Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 there are powers conferred on me as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, which allow for additional written policy direction and/or guidelines to be given to the Agency. This is covered by section 47 and Section 48 of the Act. My Department works very closely with Tusla and closely monitors ... The need for any additional policy guidance is kept under review.

I ask the Minister, on behalf of all the foster parents and, indeed, grandparents who commit themselves daily to the love and care of their grandchildren or other relatives, to use her power to instruct Tusla to abandon this cruel regulation if it exists in that type of terminology. It is ageist and very damaging. Grandparents have always been hugely involved, especially since the recession, in rearing children, as we see every day. Indeed, I have grandchildren and love bringing them to school, collecting them and bringing them to sports. There is an old saying that it takes a parish to raise a child. It certainly involves extended families and people are fortunate to have grandparents who are retired. It keeps the grandparents young and active as well. There is a huge, loving bond there. It was very damaging in the case concerned to have used that criterion. It sent shock waves throughout the community that it could be a reason. It should not be there. Grandparents play a huge role in forming the child and, indeed, in maintaining family decorum and rearing children daily throughout the State.

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