Parenting rights for long-term foster parents

Foster parents caring for children for more than five years will be granted limited parenting rights under new 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, 1,500 have been in care for five years or more.

Foster parents will now be able to apply for a court order in relation to the care of the children.

The Bill was approved by the Cabinet last week.

Minister for children Brian Lenihan said: “These are issues which have been causing difficulties for foster parents and relatives and especially for children in foster care, who are made to feel different in a school situation, as the process of getting consent often involves going to court and therefore takes much longer.

“We want to ensure that children in foster care have every opportunity to fit into a stable family and school life. This legislation is essentially about doing what is in the best interests of the child.”

Mr Lenihan also praised the contribution of foster carers and their families to improving the lives of children and young people in care and by providing a welcoming place for them in their homes at vulnerable times.

“This ensures that the vast majority of our children in care can be raised in a family home situation.”

The Dublin West TD said the HSE will also benefit in the longer term, as social workers won’t have to spend as much time in court and can concentrate on other duties.

“The Health Service Executive will continue have a role in the lives of children in respect of whom the new court orders have been granted, for example, through the care planning process.

“In addition, the child’s natural parents or a person acting in loco parentis will be notified or have to give consent as appropriate, before the court grants an order.”

The Bill, which will be introduced in the Seanad in September by Mr Lenihan, has been welcomed by the Irish Foster Care Association.