Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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333. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in the care of Tusla in residential placements in the United Kingdom; the number on short term or specialist placements; the number on long term placements; the implications of Brexit on these placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29570/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that Tula respond directly to the Deputy.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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334. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in the care of Tusla in foster placements in the United Kingdom; the number on short term or specialist placements; the number on long term placements; the implications of Brexit on these placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29571/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Matrimonial and Parental Judgments: jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement (Brussels IIa) Regulation is the legal mechanism in relation to children in the care of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, who are placed with foster carers in the UK, who move with their foster carers to the UK or who are in a short or long term residential or other specialist placement.

The Regulation applies to civil law cases involving more than one country including aspects of parental responsibility such as custody and access rights.

Should the UK withdraw from the EU in the absence of agreement, the provisions of the 1996 Hague convention – to which the UK is a party – can be utilised to achieve the same outcome.

In order to provide the deputy with the further information requested, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that Tula respond directly to the Deputy.