Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy and very much take on board his points. It is correct that he raised this issue because he is responding not just to his constituents but to grandparents' calls from throughout the country. I am glad that he did and that I have the opportunity to tell him on the public record that it is not the case that all grandparents are not good enough to have children placed in their care. Clearly, that is not the case. Many grandparents do this and both the State and I am grateful for their generosity, as are their families.

I also take the Deputy's point about better communication on this issue. Perhaps the Department and Tusla are already learning that so it is helpful to hear the Deputy's comments in that regard. Tusla is proactive on this issue. The criteria and guidelines are already being reviewed and Tusla will pay attention to the Deputy's comments here. In addition to what I have put on the record, it is important to say that the age guideline can be disregarded if it is in the professional judgment of the social worker making the assessment that it is not in the best interests of the child. It is there as part of a wide range of criteria and guidelines. At the same time, it is a good question to put to Tusla in the context of its review. It is reviewing matters and is hearing that we are asking whether it is necessarily ageist or discriminatory to have a 40 year age rule given that it is in the context of a number of other guidelines and is considered along with others. I do not think so but it is still something Tusla should consider and no doubt it will do so in light of the Deputy raising the issue here and my response.

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