Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
147. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department plans to increasingly help and support parents who have fostered children in getting the fostered children their passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35466/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for this question regarding passports for children in care. As this issue is primarily an operational matter for Tusla, I have sought and received an input from them on this matter.
I have been informed that when a child in care requires a passport, Tusla follows a clear process to ensure that the correct consent is in place and that the passport application is made in a timely manner. Depending on the complexity of the case this process can take additional time. The legal status of the child in care determines the approach taken by the social worker.
If a child is under a full care order under the 1991 Child Care Act, Tusla has the legal authority to provide consent for the application and makes the application for a passport on behalf of the child.
I have been further informed that for children in voluntary care or under an interim care order, consent for an application must be given by their legal guardian. Securing this consent can at times create a delay. If consent for an application is not given, Tusla must seek a direction from the courts under Section 47 of the Child Care Act 1991. Depending on the case, this process can take up to an additional 4 weeks.
For children who are born outside of Ireland, the process can also be delayed in seeking paperwork from their birth country.
Tusla would advise that foster carers provide sufficient notice to the social work department of any requests for Tusla to submit a passport application for a child in care. Once submitted to the relevant office or passport office, the application process is beyond the control of Tusla.
Tusla are in the process of developing a Strategic Plan on Foster Care 2022-2025. Further, I am aware that Tusla has recently engaged with foster carers in a consultation to inform the development of the Plan.
Tusla has informed me that their ambition for this Plan is to ensure that they implement the recommendations, to promote a partnership approach with foster carers and to ensure consistency in service provision. As part of their Plan currently in development, Tusla will review all current standard business processes including the process relating to passport applications.
