Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of relatives caring for children who are in receipt of foster care allowance. [15375/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the definition of "private arrangement" used by the Health Service Executive in to the placing of children in the care of relatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15374/11]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 544: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in each local health office area that have been placed with a person as a private arrangement by the Health Service Executive social workers during each year since 1998; the number of these persons who are relatives of the child or children in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15373/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 543 and 544 together.

As previously advised to the Deputy in answer to his PQ dated the 7th of June 2011, under the Children Act, 2001 a "private foster care arrangement" means any arrangement or undertaking whereby a child is for more than 14 days in the full time care, for reward or otherwise, of a person other than his or her parent or guardian, a person cohabiting with a parent or guardian or a relative. The person arranging or undertaking a private foster care arrangement shall give notice to the HSE not less than thirty days before the placement or in cases of an unforeseen emergency, by both the person making the arrangement and the person undertaking the arrangement as soon as practicable and not more than 14 days after the placement. These children are not in the care of the State and the HSE does not make these private foster care arrangements with relatives.

The HSE ensures that the person undertaking the arrangement is complying with his or her duty to take all reasonable measures to safeguard the child's health, safety and welfare. In cases where the HSE believes that such measures are not being taken, it may apply to the District Court for a supervision order, to take the child into the care of the State or the return of the child to his or her parents or guardian, as appropriate.

Where a child is in the care of the State, the HSE will, where possible, place a child in foster care. In the first instance, the HSE will seek a suitable relative or person known to the child to provide relative care. Relative carers go through an assessment and approval, in a similar way to general foster carers. The child is allocated a social worker who visits regularly and a Care Plan is developed and reviewed regularly based on the needs and wishes of the child. Currently foster/relative care services are provided directly by the HSE or by private foster care agencies on behalf of the HSE.

My Office has asked the HSE to provide the information in relation to notifications received on private foster care arrangements directly to the Deputy.