Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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652. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the procedures and policies currently in place with regard to the vetting of both potential foster parents and foster parents with a child in their care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29869/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that no child is placed with an unapproved general foster carer. When a child is being placed in foster care, the suitability of a placement with relatives is explored in the first instance. Where Tusla is satisfied that an immediate placement with relatives is in the best interest of the child, a placement may occur before full approval of the Child and Family Agency Foster Care Committee is in place. Such placements are provided for in the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations 1995. Prior to placement, the relative is assessed by a principal social worker including early Garda vetting. This is followed by a full assessment and approval by the Committee as soon as practicable.

Prospective foster care applicants undergo a comprehensive assessment before they are formally approved by a Foster Care Committee and any child is placed with them. The assessment procedure is carried out by a social worker from the local fostering team and includes Garda vetting, checks to establish previous involvement with child protection services, a medical assessment, and personal interviews with the applicant and any children living with them. Garda vetting is required for applicant(s) and all household members aged 16 years and over. Garda vetting is carried out for persons who are proposed to have regular and consistent contact with the children in foster care, such as grandparents and babysitters. The applicant(s) will be asked to provide referees who will be interviewed by the social worker as part of the assessment process. No assessment will take place until the Garda vetting of potential carers has been completed and cleared by the supervising foster care Team Leader. In accordance with the Foster Care Committee Guidelines, Garda vetting is to be updated every three years as part of the foster care review process.