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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Mar 1963

Vol. 200 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Illegitimate Children of Irish Mothers in Britain.

4.

asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report that the London County Council maintained two officers permanently stationed in Ireland for the purpose of tracing the grandmothers of illegitimate children born of Irish mothers in London, and that such grandmothers were generally delighted to have the children in question transferred to their care in this country; whether he has any knowledge as to the accuracy or otherwise of this report; whether his Department have any liaison or contract with such officers; and whether any steps are taken to ensure adequate care and maintenance of illegitimate children transferred in this way from Britain.

I have seen the Press report mentioned by the Deputy. So far as I am aware, the statements contained in it are substantially accurate. My Department has no formal contact or liaison with the officers of London County Council referred to.

Illegitimate children who are placed with first-degree relatives do not come within the provisions of the Children's Acts and so do not become the concern of local health authorities or of my Department. It happens occasionally, however, that a placement with relatives does not work out harmoniously, and in this eventuality the child may be boarded-out with foster parents by the local health authority. All boarded-out children and the foster homes in which they are placed are inspected at regular intervals by officers of the health authority and of my Department.

Does the Minister not consider, in the interests of the nation, that the accuracy of that report should be denied by his Department?

I cannot deny it; it happens. As I said in the opening part of my reply, the statement is substantially accurate.

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