Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
544. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in the State currently residing under a private family care arrangement; his views on the recent comments made by the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection (details supplied) on private family care arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11322/22]
View answerTusla have advised that they do not collate data on arrangements where families, even in consultation with Tusla, establish an alternative temporary care arrangement within their family or family network. However, data is published by Tusla on children who are in receipt of family support, children who are in ongoing child protection safety planning processes and children who are in the formal care of the State.
The Minister notes that criticisms to date of private family arrangements revolve around the informality of such arrangements and the lack of a statutory footing. Issues in relation to private family arrangements and engagement by Tusla with children and families in care and in the community will be considered in the context of the ongoing review of the Child Care Act 1991. Consideration of the role of Tusla in supporting children and families in the community and in the formal care system forms part of the review. Relevant reports and comments, including those made by the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, will inform the deliberations.
