Norma Foley

The Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 will revise and update the Child Care Act 1991, which governs a range of issues including taking children into care through voluntary agreements and court orders.

Due to be published in the coming days, the bill is aimed at reflecting changes in child welfare and protection services in Ireland, and capturing current legislative, policy and practice developments.

It will provide for greater cooperation and coordination across agencies and departments, promoting a more agile response across the State in keeping children safe from harm.

A key feature is the introduction of a duty to cooperate between relevant bodies, such as Tusla, government departments and others.

This will require organisations to cooperate proactively in performing their existing functions relevant to the development, welfare and protection of a child, the government says.

The bill will also provide a clear basis for the sharing of information between agencies and organisations when they are working together on child protection and child welfare matters under the new duty to cooperate.

Another change will allow foster carers to apply for enhanced parental rights after three years rather than five years, helping to create stable long-term arrangements for children in their care.

The bill also introduces regular reviews of care orders for children and makes changes to the duration of some care orders.

A Child Care Implementation and Inter-Agency Committee will be established to bring together government departments and State agencies who deliver services to families and children known to Tusla.

Children, disability and equality minister Norma Foley said: “Child protection is everyone’s business.

“We know there are challenges in providing support and services to the most vulnerable children and families.

“This is why we are introducing a duty to cooperate in relation to children and families known to Tusla and establishing the Inter-Agency Committee to bring everyone around one table.”

She added: “I’m very pleased to make changes for foster parents.

“Where they have an established and enduring relationship with a child in their care, this bill reduces the time needed for them to apply for enhanced parental rights for that child from five years to three years.

“This will make it easier for them dealing with day-to-day issues, such as giving permission for children to go on school tours or attend concerts.”

Amendments to the bill will be brought to enhance the powers and status of the National Review Panel, which conducts reviews of child deaths and serious incidents and produces reports with recommendations.

Ms Foley said: “I will be introducing a further change to the legislation to place the National Review Panel on a statutory footing, as soon as possible.

“The National Review Panel is respected for the independence of its work but putting it on a statutory basis will further strengthen it in this regard.”