Written answers
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Department of Foreign Affairs
Passport Applications
9:00 pm
Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review regulations preventing foster parents obtaining passports for their Irish born foster children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16101/08]
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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An application for the issue of a passport may be made on behalf of a child by his or her parent or guardian, or by a person authorised by an order of a court in the State to give consent to the issue of a passport. Where a child has been in foster care pursuant to a statutory care order for a period of less than five years, an application for a passport for that child must be made by the Health Service Executive under section 18(3)(3) of the Childcare Act 1991 as amended. A foster parent or a relative who has had a child in their care for a continuous period of five years, the child having been placed with them by the Health Service Executive, may apply for a court order for increased autonomy in relation to the care of the child including the matter of consenting to the issue of a passport.
In processing applications in respect of children in foster care, the Passport Office complies with legislative requirements set out in the Childcare Act and other relevant legislation. Responsibility for legislative change in this area lies with the Department of Health and Children. The application process in relation to children in care will be kept under review by the Passport Office to reflect any legislative change in this area.
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