Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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872. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the removal of children from their breastfeeding mothers at birth by Tusla (details supplied). [15608/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Deputy will be aware that I cannot comment on an individual case.

Tusla receives children into care when it is necessary to ensure their safety, welfare and development

In the event of a child or an unborn child requiring safe care which is assessed as not being available from within the family, Tusla is obliged to consider, together with the parents and sometimes the Court, how best to provide for an alternative person to provide care. If the parents can agree an alternative safe carer with Tusla, then Tusla will review this, and may develop an agreement for that person(s) to become the primary carer, until such time as the child’s own parent(s) are able to demonstrate that changes are in place to allow for them to provide the necessary safe care. If, however, the parent(s) cannot agree how to do this, it is sometimes necessary to involve the Court to adjudicate on such a decision. In all such cases, under the Child Care Act, the best interests of the child must be the paramount consideration.

All parents whose children are in care are entitled to make applications for family contact (known as access) and the needs of the child, including breastfeeding infants, inform plans for family contact. Access arrangements may also be adjudicated if no mutual agreement is reached between the parent(s) and Tusla.