asked the Minister for Health the formal guidelines, if any, which have been issued by his Department to health boards as to the action to be taken by a health board upon a child or children properly taken into care under the laws of another State being brought to reside in Ireland within a health board area, following the parental kidnapping of such child or children in violation of a care order made by the foreign court; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Child Abduction Procedures.
7.
Where a health board becomes aware that a child who has been abducted into the State in circumstances such as those described by the Deputy is residing in its area, the relevant authorities in the foreign State are notified so that they can institute High Court proceedings here for an order for the return of the child to the foreign jurisdiction.
If, however, it is feared that there is an immediate and serious threat to the health or well-being of the child, the matter is dealt with in accordance with the standard procedures laid down in guidelines issued by my Department on the investigation and management of child abuse and neglect.
The procedures include the collection of information on the nature and extent of the risk to the child and the summonsing of a case conference of all relevant personnel (including, if necessary, the Garda) to decide on the appropriate action to be taken.
If it is considered necessary to do so, the health board may apply to the District Court for a warrant to remove the child to a place of safety or for a Fit Person Order committing the child to the care of the health board.