Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 9th February, 2021.

I, RODERIC O’GORMAN, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 41 (as amended by section 75 of the Health Act 2004 (No. 42 of 2004)) and 68 of the Child Care Act 1991 (No. 17 of 1991) and the Child Care (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 ( S.I. No. 488 of 2011 ), hereby make the following regulations:

1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) (Emergency Measures in the Public Interest - Covid-19) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.

(2) The Principal Regulations and these regulations may be cited together as the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations 1995 and 2021 and shall be construed together as one.

2. In these Regulations:

“Principal Regulations” means the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations 1995 ( S.I. No. 261 of 1995 ).

3. The Principal Regulations are amended in the definition of “Emergency Period” (as amended by the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) (Emergency Measures in the Public Interest – COVID-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 ( S.I No. 541 of 2020 )) by substituting “period of twelve months” for “period of nine months”.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

3 February, 2021.

RODERIC O’GORMAN,

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations extend, for an additional 3 months, amendments to the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations 1995 to provide for the assessment of relatives in cases of emergency placements, having regard to the obligations and restrictions required by the State for the safeguarding of public health, and to allow for the introduction, on a temporary basis of a more flexible approval process. These Regulations continue the suspension of the statutory time-periods for the visiting of children placed with relatives and allow for visits to take place, in accordance with all public health notifications and obligations. In addition, contact must be maintained, outside of visits, by the Child and Family Agency with children placed with relatives, in accordance with the frequency previously set out in Regulations.

These Regulations may be cited as the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) (Emergency Measures in the Public Interest - Covid-19) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.