Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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25. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will change the situation where grandparents are disallowed from caring for their grandchildren if they are 40 years older than the grandchildren given that this does not make sense as there are many parents who are over 40 years or more older than their children. [18702/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I do not have a role in relation to the private family arrangements that may be made for the care of children by their grandparents . Where a child is in the statutory care of the State, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. Wherever possible, Tusla will consider a suitable relative, including a grandparent, to provide care for the child.

The age of the carers is never the sole reason for deciding on the suitability of a placement for a child in State care. A key consideration for Tusla when placing a child in foster care is to consult with the child, family members, foster carers and other people involved with the child to ensure that the child's needs are being met and that the care being provided is what is best for the child in the long term.

The guidance to Foster Care Committees on recruiting foster carers is being reviewed. I have been advised that the CEO of Tusla has asked the current guidance around age to be examined with a view to modifying it or removing it altogether.