Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

647. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the large divergences in the granting of care orders by different courts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8332/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency may receive a child into care on a voluntary basis or following an application to the Courts. There are a range of orders provided for under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended. I can confirm that Tusla does not hold data on the reasons for the divergences in the granting of care orders by different courts. Decisions on the variation or discharge of a care order are a matter for the relevant Court and I am not in a position to comment on these.

The application for a care order is a serious step and Tusla makes every effort to identify supports or actions that could act as an alternate approach. Tusla engages with parents and children in the preparation of an application for a care order, except where this is not possible or it may not be appropriate under the circumstances. The Court may seek a range of reports or the assistance of a Guardian ad Litem before coming to a decision. It may be of interest to the Deputy that the Courts Service provides some data on the activity in the District Courts in respect of applications for care order to the Child Care Law Reporting Project and this is published on its website, www.childlawproject.ie.