Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1898. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the national policy of the rights of children living in informal kinship care will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74295/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1899. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if all informal kinship care arrangements will be recognised in Ireland as they are internationally as a form of alternative care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74296/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1898 and 1899 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment with regard to kinship carers. Accordingly, the Department is in the process of developing a national policy on the rights of children living in informal kinship care. Considerable work is already underway with the intention to finalise the policy by autumn 2026.
To date, as part of the development of the national policy the Department:
• is in the process of finalising the scoping exercise on informal kinship care in Ireland. This exercise covers a review of:
• the existing relevant legislation;
• the current reality for families in informal kinship care arrangements including their current access to supports;
• national and international literature and international perspectives and examples of best practice;
• is ensuring that the voice of the child is present from the earliest possible stage. Accordingly, children and young people with experience of informal kinship care arrangements have been consulted and this concluded in September 2025.
• This approach is aligned with Article 12 of the UNCRC and the requirement that the child's views must be considered and taken into account, in all matters affecting him or her;
• is concluding research to better understand the experiences of kinship carers, which will be finalised in early 2026;
• is concluding a consultation, via survey, with parents of children with experience of informal kinship care, which will also be completed in early 2026.
This is a very sensitive and complex issue and the Department is working closely with stakeholders such as Kinship Care Ireland. With regards to the recognition of all informal kinship arrangements, as the policy development is ongoing, it would not be possible at this time to confirm whether this will be a recommendation of the policy or not. However, the Programme for Government gives a commitment to improve support for informal kinship care and to enhance outcomes for informal kinship families and the Department and I are committed to this.
Once the actions detailed above are completed and considered, the Department expects to be in a position to draft preliminary policy recommendations, based on the findings from the consultations and research pieces I have detailed already, for consideration by the Steering and Advisory Groups for the development of the national policy, and myself, before the summer and to finalise the policy in autumn 2026. Of course, this timeline is dependent on the engagement and agreement of other Departments and Cabinet colleagues.
