I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Child Care (Amendment) Bill before the House today. This is very important and timely legislation. I commend my colleague the Minister, Deputy Norma Foley, for her work in bringing it forward. Her commitment to strengthening the child welfare and protection system has ensured this Bill reflects the realities of modern practice and the needs of children and families in Ireland today. This Bill is a significant revision of the Child Care Act 1991, which has been a key feature of our legislative framework in the child protection area for more than 30 years. A lot has changed since then, as the Minister knows. We now have a better understanding of our children's needs. Families are different and have different circumstances today. There are changing demands on our services and this Bill ensures our legal framework remains fit for purpose. A very important part of this Bill is the introduction of a statutory duty to co-operate between several State agencies and bodies, including Government Departments and Tusla. This substantial reform reflects the reality that child protection is the responsibility of everyone, whether it is in healthcare, education, justice or community supports. This duty will help ensure everyone works together more proactively. The clear statutory basis for information sharing between agencies is so important. Effective and timely information sharing is essential for robust safeguarding. This Bill provides the clarity needed to support that co-operation. There are many other parts of this Bill that are very welcome but I particularly welcome the important improvements this Bill brings to foster carers. Foster families play a vital role for children who cannot live at home. They provide stability and compassion during what can be a very challenging time for a child. It affects every member of the family and open and clear communication between all State agencies and families is so important. It is important that all members of the family feel included and are confident. The contribution of foster carers is huge and it is also important that we continue to strengthen the supports that are available to them. The Bill reduces the time after which foster carers can apply for enhanced parental rights, from five years to three years, where an established and enduring relationship with the child exists. This is a child-centred reform. It will help foster carers when they have to make decisions on everyday matters, such as school tours or doctor's appointments, without unnecessary administration that can be so frustrating for foster parents. Most important, it supports greater stability for children who have formed secure attachment in foster placements. While these changes are significant, we must also acknowledge that foster carers continue to face considerable pressures. They have a demanding role - emotionally, practically and financially. I know this is not in the Minister's remit and I know she will be working with the Minister, Deputy Dara Calleary, but we should always be looking for extra supports for foster carers in order to ensure the financial supports, such as the foster carer's allowance, are fit for purpose. It is important that we continue to ensure that everyone who wants to do this work can do it. Such work is invaluable. The role is invaluable, and we need these people in our society because we just cannot understate the impact of their work and the effect they have on our children. I again commend the Minister, Deputy Foley, on her leadership in bringing this legislation forward. It will ring-fence the main principle that the best interests of the child must guide every decision we make and acknowledges the critical role played by foster carers and supporters. We appreciate their work.

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