More rights for long-term foster parents

FOSTER parents caring for children for more than five years will be granted limited parenting rights under new Government legislation.

The Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006 will enable guardians to give permission for medical operations and passports as well as for day-to-day issues like going on school tours or attending concerts.

Of the 4,200 children placed in foster care by the Health Service Executive (HSE), 1,500 have been in care for five years or more.