Fostering shortage places young girl from conflict zone under interim care order

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

An interim care order for a young girl was extended, after the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) told the court that no long-term foster placement is currently available for her after her current foster parents retire.

Representatives for Tusla appeared at an in camera family law sitting at Bray District Court seeking an extension to an interim care order.

The girl is currently residing with a foster family in Wicklow.

Originally from a conflict zone, she came to Ireland with her sibling. The court was told that the girl has not had contact with her parents since she fled a civil war.

A representative from Tusla told the court that the girl and her sibling travelled by land for several weeks before reaching the coast.

While there, her brother worked to earn money to support his sibling. The siblings eventually arrived in Ireland in 2024, with the youth entering State care, while her brother, who is an adult, is residing in an IPAS centre.

The youth has been placed with a foster family for the past year. The court was told that she is thriving in her current educational setting, with feedback from her school describing her as “an ambitious young girl”. She also taught herself Irish over the summer period.

The court heard that the issue is that her current placement is only on a short-term basis, as her foster family plans to retire at the end of the year. A social worker for Tusla told the court that no foster families are currently available.

The guardian for the youth told the court that she wishes for the girl to remain in her present location, so that she can maintain contact with her brother. It was heard that her brother visits her as often as possible.

Judge David Kennedy enquired as to why the foster family was retiring. Counsel for Tusla told the court that they wish to move to the countryside. The court was also informed that one of the foster parents is suffering from serious health issues.

The court was told that the youth is currently in the process of obtaining her PPS number and has an interview scheduled to determine whether she will be granted asylum status.

Judge Kennedy remarked that “everything is all up in the air” and granted the order on a short-term basis until December 18. He noted that it would be a shame if she had to change circumstances.