Vol. 535 No. 1
326 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who has applied for a foster allowance for her three grandchildren aged four years, two years and one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11837/01]
The issue of taking children into care, and their discharge from care, is a matter for each health board under the Child Care Act, 1991. Section 41 of the Act, together with the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations, 1995, gives a health board the option of placing a child in their care with relatives, who then receive the same allowances from a health board as non-relative foster carers.
The issue of a foster care placement with relatives is a matter for the local health board. This case has been referred to the Eastern Regional Health Authority, which has been asked to reply to the Deputy directly.
