Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 9, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: “(d) an arrangement made under section 36(1)(d) of the Child Care Act 1991, under which a child was placed with a relative,”.

This amendment amends the definition of "care arrangement" to include records of relevant foster care. It was an issue that arose on Committee Stage and I committed to working with my officials to determine whether we have the definition right. I am pleased to be able to bring forward an amendment which further expands the definition of "care arrangement" to include former foster care by a relative. Records related to a relevant person foster care placement have always been included in the definition. This amendment will ensure that where a relevant person was fostered by a relative, the records relating to that placement will also fall to be released.

The amendment slightly broadens the definition, recognising that foster care arrangements, while predominantly with non-relatives, on occasion did happen with relatives and it is right that those relationships should be encompassed within the definitions. I am pleased to be able to respond to the points raised by the Deputy on Committee Stage.

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