Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1443. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the vast differences in child care orders between towns; if she will address the concern that children in care are subject to a geographic lottery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19981/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, may receive a child into care on a voluntary basis or following an application to the courts. There are a range of orders provided for under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended. I can confirm that Tusla does not hold data on the reasons for the divergences in the granting of care orders by different courts. Decisions on the variation or discharge of a care order are a matter for the relevant Court and I am not in a position to comment on these.
The application for a care order is a serious step and Tusla makes every effort to identify supports or actions that could act as an alternate approach. Tusla engages with parents and children in the preparation of an application for a care order, except where this is not possible or it may not be appropriate under the circumstances. The Court may seek a range of reports or the assistance of a Guardian ad litem before coming to a decision. It may be of interest to the Deputy that the Courts Service provides some data on the activity in the District Courts in respect of applications for care order to the child care law reporting project and this is published on its website, www.childlawproject.ie.
