Vol. 533 No. 4
137 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will clarify the situation with regard to an application for foster allowance and orphan's allowance from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 who is caring for her grandchild; if this case can be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement in the matter. [9307/01]
Section 41 of the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations, 1995 provide for the placement of a child coming into, or in the care of, health boards with relatives. These relatives receive the same allow ances and are entitled to apply for the same discretionary payments from a health board as foster carers with whom children are placed under the terms of the 1991 Act and the Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995. In accordance with the regulations the relatives have to apply to the health board and undergo an assessment similar to that which is undertaken by foster carers.
The granting of foster care allowances is a matter for the local health board, and this case has been referred to the Eastern Regional Health Authority, who have been asked to reply to the Deputy directly. Similarly, the granting of orphan's allowance is a matter for the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, and as such, the case has been referred to that Department.
