Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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348. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he expects the Adoption Amendment Act to be enacted with regard to children in long-term foster care being eligible for adoption; the length of time of care placement for these children; the safeguards for children who will be encompassed, as regards the contact with birth family, and also further supports throughout their lives. [40244/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Work on the Adoption (Amendment) Bill is at an advanced stage. The Bill provides for theadoption of any child where the parents have failed for such a period of time as may be prescribed by law in their duty towards the child and where the best interests of the child so require. It also provides for the voluntary placement for adoption and the adoption of any child.

These legislative changes may have the effect of providing for the adoption of children in long-term foster care. In circumstances where an adoption order is effected, the birth parent/parents loose all parental rights and duties in relation to the child. However I am aware that, in practice, informal arrangements are often developed to support contact between the child and his/her birth parent/parents where that is in the best interests of the child.