Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009

Public bill · Government · Presented

Creates a new system for placing children aged 11 or over in secure special-care units where their behaviour poses a serious risk to their safety or welfare and ordinary care or mental-health services are not enough. The Health Service Executive would have to provide care, education, medical and psychiatric support, while the High Court would decide whether detention is necessary, review it regularly and allow release for treatment, family contact or other welfare needs. It also sets rules for handling children involved in criminal proceedings, strengthens their access to legal representation and family information, and gives the Gardaí powers to find children who abscond. The Children Acts Advisory Board would be dissolved, with its staff, property and responsibilities transferred to the Minister, alongside related changes to child welfare, health oversight and adoption law.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend and extend the Child Care Act 1991; to make further provision in relation to the care and protection of children; to amend the Children Act 2001; the Health Act 2004 and the Health Act 2007; to provide for the dissolution of the Children Acts Advisory Board and the transfer of its assets, liabilities and employees to the Minister for Health; to repeal Part 11 of the Children Act 2001; to amend the Adoption Act 2010; and to provide for related matters

Last updated 12 April 2018