Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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2433. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding whether kinship carers with a formal agreement have the same rights as foster carers. [42773/25]

Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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2434. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she plans to give kinship carers without a formal agreement, the same rights as foster carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42774/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2433 and 2434 together.

At this time there is no formal policy with regard to informal kinship carers and accordingly the specific rights linked to their unique and valuable caring role are not formalised.

The Programme for Government contains commitments with regard to kinship carers.

My Department is in the process of developing a national policy on the rights of children living in informal kinship care. As part of the development of the national policy my Department:

• is in the process of completing the scoping exercise on informal kinship care in Ireland. This exercise covers relevant legislation, the current reality for families in these arrangements including current access to supports, as well as a review of national and international literature and international perspectives and examples of best practice;
• is ensuring that the voice of the child is present from the earliest possible stage. Consultations with children and young people with experience of informal kinship care arrangements concluded in Q2 of this year. This approach is aligned with Article 12 of the UNCRC and the requirement that the child's views must be considered and taken into account in all matters affecting him or her;
• has undertaken research to better understand the experiences of kinship carers, which will be completed in early Q4 of this year;
• has undertaken a consultation via survey with parents of children with experience of informal kinship care, which will also be completed in Q4 of this year;