19/05/2016
New Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016 Goes Before Dáil
The new Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, has introduced the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016, the first piece of legislation to come before the 32nd Dáil.
Announcing the Bill, Minister Zappone said: "I am very pleased that the first piece of legislation to be brought before the 32nd Dáil gives legislative effect to the Children's Referendum.
"This significant Bill allows for the adoption of any child and acknowledges the voice of the child in the adoption process. It provides for the views of the child to be ascertained by the Adoption Authority or by the court and for those views to be given due weight, having regard to the age and maturity of the child."
The Bill makes specific provision for adoption by a step parent. It provides for the adoption of a child by his or her step parent without the requirement for the child's other parent to adopt his or her own child.
"I am aware that the previous legislative provision for step parent adoption caused deep concern for those involved in the process and I am pleased that the regime now provided for is more pragmatic," Minister Zappone added.
Previously, if a step parent wanted to adopt his/her step child, both the parent and the step parent had to apply to adopt. The parent became an 'adopting parent' as a result of the adoption. Under this Bill, the step parent will be the sole adopter and there will be no change to the legal status of the other parent.
The Bill also provides for couples who are civil partners or cohabitees to be eligible to apply to adopt a child. The relevant provisions are being brought forward into this Bill from the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015.
Minister Zappone concluded: "Adoption is one of a range of measures that ensure that the welfare and protection of children is fully catered for in the Irish statute book. These amendments to the Adoption Act 2010 will provide clarity and coherence in our adoption legislation with the added benefit of providing for adoption law in Adoption Acts."
(MH/JP)
Announcing the Bill, Minister Zappone said: "I am very pleased that the first piece of legislation to be brought before the 32nd Dáil gives legislative effect to the Children's Referendum.
"This significant Bill allows for the adoption of any child and acknowledges the voice of the child in the adoption process. It provides for the views of the child to be ascertained by the Adoption Authority or by the court and for those views to be given due weight, having regard to the age and maturity of the child."
The Bill makes specific provision for adoption by a step parent. It provides for the adoption of a child by his or her step parent without the requirement for the child's other parent to adopt his or her own child.
"I am aware that the previous legislative provision for step parent adoption caused deep concern for those involved in the process and I am pleased that the regime now provided for is more pragmatic," Minister Zappone added.
Previously, if a step parent wanted to adopt his/her step child, both the parent and the step parent had to apply to adopt. The parent became an 'adopting parent' as a result of the adoption. Under this Bill, the step parent will be the sole adopter and there will be no change to the legal status of the other parent.
The Bill also provides for couples who are civil partners or cohabitees to be eligible to apply to adopt a child. The relevant provisions are being brought forward into this Bill from the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015.
Minister Zappone concluded: "Adoption is one of a range of measures that ensure that the welfare and protection of children is fully catered for in the Irish statute book. These amendments to the Adoption Act 2010 will provide clarity and coherence in our adoption legislation with the added benefit of providing for adoption law in Adoption Acts."
(MH/JP)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 March 2013
Social Welfare Clampdown Saves Millions
The Department of Social Protection has saved a reported €669m through a clampdown on social welfare fraud. The review of social welfare claims were carried out, and most of the savings came from reviews of one parent family payments, pensions, jobseekers, illness, and child benefit payments.
Social Welfare Clampdown Saves Millions
The Department of Social Protection has saved a reported €669m through a clampdown on social welfare fraud. The review of social welfare claims were carried out, and most of the savings came from reviews of one parent family payments, pensions, jobseekers, illness, and child benefit payments.
10 May 2019
Consultation Launched On Proposed Changes To Adoption Policy
Members of the public and stakeholders in adoption services are being invited to submit their views to a consultation on the potential introduction of open or semi-open adoption in Ireland.
Consultation Launched On Proposed Changes To Adoption Policy
Members of the public and stakeholders in adoption services are being invited to submit their views to a consultation on the potential introduction of open or semi-open adoption in Ireland.
11 August 2016
Govt Urged To Acknowledge Value Of Stay At Home Parents
The government has been urged to restore payments and qualifying levels for stay at home parents, especially to one parent families who have faced "savage cuts" over recent years.
Govt Urged To Acknowledge Value Of Stay At Home Parents
The government has been urged to restore payments and qualifying levels for stay at home parents, especially to one parent families who have faced "savage cuts" over recent years.
27 November 2015
FF Concerned Over High Rates Of Poverty And Deprivation
Fianna Fáil has raised concerns about the continued high rates of poverty and deprivation following the release of the latest EU SILC data from the CSO. The party's spokesperson on Social Protection, Willie O'Dea, said that the at-risk of poverty rate has increased from 15% in 2013 to 16% in 2014.
FF Concerned Over High Rates Of Poverty And Deprivation
Fianna Fáil has raised concerns about the continued high rates of poverty and deprivation following the release of the latest EU SILC data from the CSO. The party's spokesperson on Social Protection, Willie O'Dea, said that the at-risk of poverty rate has increased from 15% in 2013 to 16% in 2014.
18 August 2015
Govt Urged To Reverse One Parent Family Cuts
Tánaiste Joan Collins has been urged to reverse the cuts to one parent family households. Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social Protection, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, made the call following the publication of OneFamily's annual review.
Govt Urged To Reverse One Parent Family Cuts
Tánaiste Joan Collins has been urged to reverse the cuts to one parent family households. Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social Protection, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, made the call following the publication of OneFamily's annual review.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Mostly cloudy but largely dry, perhaps the odd spot of drizzle over the hills. Best chance of any brightness across the north and west through the afternoon. A mild day. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:Staying mostly cloudy but largely dry, perhaps the odd spot of drizzle over the hills. Perhaps some clearer spells across the north and west. Minimum temperature 12 °C.