Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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262. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on a State sponsored voluntary DNA website for all those who have been in care in order to trace family and relatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35413/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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In the vast majority of instances, the family of a child or young person in State care is known to them and, of course, to Tusla – the Child and Family Agency. On that basis, there are no plans to establish a State sponsored voluntary DNA website in order that those who have been in care can trace their relatives.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Child Care Act 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 are the two main pieces of legislation governing children in care. Under these Acts, Tusla has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. A core principle of Ireland’s care system is the maintenance of relationships with a child’s natural family unless, of course, it is considered that such contact is not in the child’s best interests.

In some cases, parents may agree to their children being taken into the care of Tusla on a voluntary basis that is with the agreement of the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s). In others, Tusla may apply to the court for a care order. It should be noted that 93% of children in State care are in foster care and almost 30% of them have been placed with relatives.

Tusla has informed me that details in relation to family members and relatives and significant others are retained on the child’s care file. Information in relation to these people is made available to the child during their time in care.

However, in some cases, children may not have details in relation to both of their natural parents. In such instances, social workers work closely with the family members to ascertain this information for the child(ren).

In the exceptional circumstance where no natural parents or relatives can be identified for a child who has come into care, namely with unaccompanied minors, Tusla makes extensive searches, and supports children and young people in searching for their family. Reunification with family is considered a priority for children in these circumstances.