Public Could Go To Court To Put Children In Care

Children could be placed in care after reports from any member of the public, under proposals being examined by the government.

The Irish Times has reported that any person would be able to go to court to apply for an order to have a child put in care, if the reforms go ahead.

But the move would only be allowed in "exceptional circumstances" and in cases where a child had previously been brought to the attention of social services.

Currently, only the Health Service Executive (HSE) can take court proceedings to have a child placed in care.

The changes will allow concerned people such as neighbours, teachers or relatives to bring vulnerable children to the attention of the courts system, if they feel they have "reasonable grounds" to believe the child is not being looked after well enough.

The recommendations are included in a report from the government's special rapporteur on child protection, Dr Geoffrey Shannon.

He was appointed in 2006 to audit legal developments in the area of child law and to draw up proposals on how to strengthen child protection.

Other proposals in yesterday's report include addressing the shortage of foster parents to prevent young people spending years in institutions, and making sure non-EU national parents of Irish citizen children are given leave to remain in Ireland.

Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald said: "The key message in this report is that we must continue to implement our ongoing reform agenda for children and families."

(NE)