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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Grandparents' access rights

Summary

Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick raises grandparents’ access to children and the need to preserve grandparent-grandchild relationships. The Taoiseach says legislation was enacted in 2015 and promises to return with a more detailed reply.

The rights of grandparents Bill 2013 did not proceed through the Oireachtas. It was intended to deal with issues around grandparents' access to children. It also sought to provide for the continuous development of the relationship and bond between a grandparent and his or her grandchild. The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 is a child-centred Act which guarantees the right of children to legal security and to care for their parents and the important adults in their lives. Over the past several months, many grandparents have come into my constituency office. Their problem is that they do not seem to have any access or communication with their grandchildren. The simple reason is either that they have fallen out with their son-in-law or daughter-in-law, or with the other grandparents. These are genuine people who love their grandchildren. I want to know what the Government will do to help grandparents get involved with their grandchildren.

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Is there promised legislation in this area?

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I am advised that legislation was enacted in 2015, but I do not have a more detailed answer for the Deputy. I will endeavour to return to the Deputy with a more detailed reply, because in my constituency service I have also had the experience of meeting grandparents who have been prevented from seeing their grandchildren. I know it is deeply upsetting for them that they are not able to have access to their grandchildren.

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