Departmental Reviews

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Questions (969)

John McGuinness

Question:

969. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will order an immediate and extensive review of the engagement between Tusla and persons (details supplied) which resulted in the grandparents providing a home for the children without financial support from Tusla or the State; if he will include in this review the minutes and reports from the meeting held some years ago refusing to acknowledge the grandparents as foster carers thus depriving them and the children of appropriate financial support in the interest of their health and well-being; if he is satisfied that this was not a catastrophic failure of the State to care for a vulnerable family the negative impacts of which are being felt to this day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33209/20]

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Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Deputy will be aware that it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases. I am also not in a position to interfere with the professional judgement or social work decision making in a case. I can confirm that I have referred your questions to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for direct reply to you.

Tusla works in partnership with families and their networks to develop plans for children based on the strengths of the family and the individual circumstances of the child. Tusla endeavour, where possible, to support children at home or for their return home where this is in their best interests. Where this is not possible Tusla may apply to the courts to receive the child into care or enter into a voluntary agreement with the parent/guardian.

An application can be made for a Guardianship Payment to the Department of Employment and Social Protection if a child, who is an orphan or abandoned, is being cared for on a full time basis by adults who are not their parent/guardian.