Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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227. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she will take to reduce the number of children in foster care who are subject to a voluntary care order as compared to a care order. [52354/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Voluntary care is provided for under Section 4 of the Child Care Act, 1991 which sets out the means by which a child can be received into voluntary care by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. This allows Tusla to receive a child into care without a court order and with the consent of the child's parents when this is required for the child’s welfare or protection. A voluntary care agreement may be appropriate in situations such as when a parent requires medical or other treatment for a time limited period. Social workers review a child in care's situation at statutory child in care reviews, in consultation with the child's parents and other professionals.

The decision to make an application for a care order from the Courts is a serious step and Tusla makes every effort to identify supports or actions that could act as an alternate approach.

It would not be appropriate for me to take steps to reduce the numbers of children being received in to the care of Tusla with the agreement of their parents.