Written answers

Thursday, 9 June 2016

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Child Care Services

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she agrees that grandparents offer a valuable and often overlooked role in raising their grandchildren; the supports are available to grandparents who act in loco parentis to their grandchildren; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14852/16]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I completely agree with the Deputy that grandparents can play many important roles in their grandchildren's lives, mine did. They can be loving companions, caregivers, mentors, historians and sources of various other forms of support including, sometimes, parenting in partnership with their children. I am witnessing many of my friends and colleagues play that role. What an extraordinary contribution they offer to their grandchildren, their families and the State. I want to put on public record my deep appreciation for their contribution.

Grandparents may either be ordinary caregivers, acting "in loco parentis" or they may be appointed as formal foster carers. Grandparents acting in loco parentis should not be confused with relative foster carers. Those acting in loco parentis are doing so under a private family agreement, and the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, is not involved. The same universal services such as those provided in the community or health sectors, which are available for parents are also available for grandparents, including more targeted services such as family support.

Wherever possible, Tusla considers relative foster care in the first instance in order to lessen the impact of being in care for the child. Where relative foster care is not possible, children are placed in general foster care. A key element of the support to be provide to foster children include; allocation of a dedicated social worker for children in care, access to a link social worker for supervision and support to the foster carers; onward referral and advocacy for access to specialist services to meet the child's identified needs such as speech and language therapy, counselling and psychotherapy services.

A foster care allowance of €325 for children under 12 and €352 for children aged 12 years and over is provided to support the care and welfare of the child.

A child may be received into care on a voluntary basis or by order of the Courts. Decisions on the variation or discharge of a care order are also a matter for the relevant Court and lie outside the powers of Tusla. The development of a statutory care plan will set out what is in the best interests of the child. Where a placement is not meeting the needs of the child to an optimum level, Tusla will seek an alternative placement that can provide the necessary care. This process may also include an order from the Court in approving the change of placement.

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