Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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154. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the maximum age for a person to commence fostering children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19170/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Following extensive consultation with relevant stakeholders, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, approved revised Policy, Procedures and Best Practice Guidance for Foster Care Committees in February of last year.

I can confirm that one of the issues that arose during consultation, and which has been addressed in the revised document, concerns the previous guidance in relation to the age of applicants. The guidance in relation to the age of would-be foster carers has been removed, with the focus now being placed on appropriate matching and the use of professional judgement when approving carers, placing children and making long-term matches. The guiding rule is, of course, the child’s best interests.