Source: http://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1991/act/17/front/revised/en/html
Timestamp: 2018-12-12 02:31:34
Document Index: 711005742

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n58', 'art. 1', 'art. 5', 'art 20', 'art 15', 'art 8', 'art. 6', 'art. 10', 'art. 6', 'art. 13', 'art. 6', 'art. 11', 'art. 10', 'art. 7', 'art. 10', 'art. 7', 'art. 11', 'art. 7', 'art. 11', 'art. 7', 'art. 11']

Number 17 of 1991
This Revised Act is an administrative consolidation of the Child Care Act 1991. It is prepared by the Law Reform Commission in accordance with its function under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975 (3/1975) to keep the law under review and to undertake revision and consolidation of statute law.
Child Care Acts 1991 to 2015 : this Act is one of a group of Acts included in this collective citation, to be construed together as one ( Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 (45/2015), s. 16(2)). The Acts in this group are:
• Child Care Act 1991 (17/1991)
• Children Act 2001 (24/2001), ss. 7-15 and 267
• Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 75 in so far as it amends the Child Care Acts 1991 and 2001
• Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007 (26/2007), s. 1(2), pt. 2 and s. 21 in so far as it amends the Child Care Acts 1991 and 2001
• Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 (19/2011), ss. 1-26, 28-31, 34, 36, 46, 48
• Child Care (Amendment) Act 2013 (5/2013)
• Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (9/2015), s. 175
• Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 (45/2015), other than ss. 14 and 15
A list of legislative changes to any Act, and to statutory instruments from 1990, may be found linked from the page of the Act or statutory instrument at
• Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 (45/2015)
• Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 (32/2013)
• Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 (19/2011)
• Adoption Act 2010 (21/2010)
• Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007 (26/2007)
• Health Act 2007 (23/2007)
• Mental Health Act 2001 (25/2001)
• Children Act 1997 (40/1997)
• Refugee Act 1996 (17/1996)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 632 of 2016)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 221 of 2016)
• Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 607 of 2015)
• Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 606 of 2015)
• Child Care (Placement of Children in Residential Care) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 605 of 2015)
• Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) (No. 2) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 466 of 2013)
• Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 239 of 2013)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Section 29(7)) Regulations (S.I. No. 467 of 2012)
• Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 110 of 2012)
• Child Care (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 488 of 2011)
• Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 406 of 2011)
• Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 200 of 2008)
• Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No2) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 643 of 2006)
• Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No2) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 604 of 2006)
• Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 505 of 2006)
• Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 (Section 40(4)) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 338 of 2005)
• Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 70 of 2005)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Children’s Residential Centres) (Superannuation) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 863 of 2004)
• Child Care (Special Care) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 550 of 2004)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Commencement) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 547 of 2004)
• Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 444 of 2004)
• Child Care (Pre-School Services) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 268 of 1997)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Commencement) Order 1996 (S.I. No. 399 of 1996)
• Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 1996 (S.I. No. 398 of 1996)
• Child Care (Standards in Children’s Residential Centres) Regulations 1996 (S.I. No. 397 of 1996)
• Child Care (Placement of Children With Relatives) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 261 of 1995)
• Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 260 of 1995)
• Child Care (Placement of Children in Residential Care) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 259 of 1995)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Commencement) Order 1995 (S.I. No. 258 of 1995)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Commencement) (No. 3) Order 1992 (S.I. No. 349 of 1992)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 1992 (S.I. No. 264 of 1992)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Children’s Residential Centres) (Superannuation) (No. 2) Order 1992 (S.I. No. 125 of 1992)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Children’s Residential Centres) (Superannuation) Order 1992 (S.I. No. 124 of 1992)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Commencement) Order 1992 (S.I. No. 123 of 1992)
• Child Care Act 1991 (Commencement) Order (S.I. No. 292 of 1991)
Promotion of Welfare of Children
Functions of Child and Family Agency.
Voluntary care.
Accommodation for homeless children.
Provision of adoption service.
Child care advisory committees.
Provision of services by voluntary bodies and other persons.
Assistance for voluntary bodies and other persons.
Emergency care order.
Notification to be given by Child and Family Agency.
Provision of accommodation for purposes of Part III .
Duty of Child and Family Agency to institute proceedings.
Proceedings under Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964, Judicial Separation and Family Law Reform Act, 1989, etc.
Effect of appeal from orders.
Variation or discharge of orders etc.
Powers of court in case of invalidity of orders.
Children in need of Special Care or Protection
23NA.
23NB.
23NC.
Functions of Child and Family Agency when providing special care.
23NE.
23NF.
23NG.
23NH.
23NI.
Return of child to Child and Family Agency in certain circumstances.
23NJ.
23NK.
23NL.
23NN.
23NO.
23NP.
Notice of private foster care arrangement.
Information to be submitted to Child and Family Agency.
Duty in respect of children in private foster care.
Inspection by authorised persons.
Institution of proceedings by Child and Family Agency.
Restrictions on private foster care arrangements in certain cases.
23X.
Welfare of child to be paramount.
Power of court to join child as a party and costs of child as a party.
Appointment of guardian ad litem for a child.
Power to procure reports on children.
Power to proceed in absence of child.
Prohibition on publication or broadcast of certain matters.
Failure or refusal to deliver up a child.
Warrant to search for and deliver up a child.
Children in the Care of Child and Family Agency
Accommodation and maintenance of children in care.
Provision of residential care by Child and Family Agency.
Regulations as to foster care.
Regulations as to residential care.
Regulations as to placement with relatives.
Review of cases of children in care.
Removal from placement.
Orders relating to children in care of same foster parent or relative for five years or more.
Variation, discharge or cessation of order under section 43A.
Children who become adopted.
Aftercare plan.
Assessment of need.
Aftercare plan - eligible child.
Aftercare plan - eligible adult.
Review and update of aftercare plan.
Recovery of children removed from care etc.
Supervision of Pre-School Services
Definitions for Part VII .
Regulations as to pre-school services.
Notice to Health Service Executive.
Duty of person carrying on pre-school service.
Supervision of pre-school services.
Provision by health boards of pre-school services and information.
Offences under Part VII .
Exemptions from provisions of this Part.
Definitions for this Part.
58E.
Duty of person providing early years service.
Supervision of early years services.
58I.
58J.
Offences under Part VIIA.
Definitions for Part VIII .
Prohibition of unregistered children’s residential centres.
Registration of children’s residential centres.
Regulations in relation to children’s residential centres.
Offences under Part VIII .
Discontinuance of centre.
Superannuation of certain staff.
Charges for certain services.
Functions of chief executive officer.
Sale etc. of solvents.
Amendment of section 17 of the School Attendance Act, 1926.
Amendment of section 15 of the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964.
Amendment of section 16 of the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964.
Maintenance — saver in relation to members of Defence Forces.
1934, No. 15
Children (Employment Abroad) Act, 1913
3 & 4 Geo. 5, c. 7
1964, No. 11
1954, No. 11
Health Acts, 1947 to 1986
Health (Amendment) Act, 1987
1987, No. 3
Mental Treatment Acts, 1945 to 1966
Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act, 1904
4 Edw. 7, c. 15
1926, No. 17
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND FOR RELATED MATTERS. [10 th July, 1991]
Certain functions of Health Service Executive in relation to Act transferred to Child and Family Agency (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 82(2), S.I. No. 502 of 2013.
Transfer of certain functions of Health Service Executive.
82.— ...
(2) The functions vested in the Health Service Executive by or under the enactments specified in Schedule 1 shall, on the establishment day, stand transferred to the Agency.
Functions of Health Service Executive Transferred to Agency
Functions transferred and “Department of Health” and “Minister for Health” construed (1.10.2011) by Child Care (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 488 of 2011), arts. 2, 3, 7, commenced as per. art. 1(2).
2.— (1) The administration and business in connection with the exercise, performance or execution of any functions transferred by Article 3 are transferred to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
(2) References to the Department of Health contained in any Act or any instrument made thereunder and relating to any administration and business transferred by paragraph (1) shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
3.— (1) The functions vested in the Minister for Health by or under the Child Care Acts 1991 to 2011 are transferred to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
(2) References to the Minister for Health contained in any Act or instrument made thereunder and relating to any functions transferred by this Article shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
7.—References to the Minister for Health contained in the memorandum and articles of association of any company and relating to any function transferred by this Order shall, from the commencement of this Order, be construed as references to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
Power of Court to make orders under Act provided (23.07.2007) by Children Act 2001 (24/2001), s. 77, S.I No. 524 of 2007.
Referral of case to [Health Service Executive].
77.— (1) Where, in any proceedings in which a child is charged with an offence, it appears to the Court that it may be appropriate for a care order or a supervision order to be made under the Act of 1991 with respect to the child, the Court may, of its own motion or on the application of any person—
(a) adjourn the proceedings and direct the [Child and Family Agency ] to convene a family welfare conference in respect of the child [if in the Court’s view it is practicable for the [Child and Family Agency ] to hold such a conference having regard to the age of the child and his or her family and other circumstances, ] and
(b) [... ]
Power of court to make orders under Act provided (27.03.1996) by Domestic Violence Act 1996 (1/1996), ss. 7 and 9, commenced as per s. 25(1).
7.— (1) Where in proceedings for any order under this Act, other than proceedings to which section 6 relates, it appears to the court that it may be appropriate for a care order or a supervision order to be made under the Child Care Act, 1991, with respect to a dependent person concerned in the proceedings, the court may, of its own motion or on the application of any person concerned, adjourn the proceedings and direct the [Child and Family Agency ] for the area in which such dependent person resides or is for the time being to undertake an investigation or, as the case may be, further investigations of such dependent person’s circumstances.
9.— (1) Where an application is made to the court for an order under this Act, the court may, on application to it in the same proceedings and without the institution of proceedings under the Act concerned, if it appears to the court to be proper to do so, make one or more of the orders referred to in subsection (2).
Construction of references to “psychiatric examination, treatment or assessment” under Act restricted (1.11.2006) by Mental Health Act 2001 (25/2001), s. 25(15), S.I. No. 411 of 2006.
Involuntary admission of children.
(15) References in sections 13(7), 18(3) and 19(4) of the Child Care Act, 1991, to psychiatric examination, treatment or assessment do not include references to treatment under this Act.
Proceedings brought by Health Service Executive (now Child and Family Agency) under collectively cited Child Care Acts 1991 to 2013 exempted from fees (3.12.2013) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) (No. 2) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 466 of 2013), art. 5(1)(d)(iii).
Setting of standards on safety and quality in relation to services provided by Health Service Executive, Child and Family Agency or a service provider in accordance with collectively cited Child Care Acts 1991 and 2001 assigned to Health Information and Quality Authority (15.07.2007) by Health Act 2007, s. 8(1)(b)(i)(II), S.I. No. 226 of 2007; as substituted (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2, part 20 item 2.
District Court confirmed as “Children Court” when exercising jurisdiction under pts. III, IV, IVA and V of Act (1.05.2002) by Children Act 2001 (24/2001), s. 71(1)(a), S.I. No. 151 of 2002.
Application of Act extended to separated children by Refugee Act 1996 (17/1996), s. 8(5)(a) as substituted (7.07.1999) by Immigration Act 1999 (22/1999), s. 11(1)(c)(v), commenced on enactment; as amended (1.01.2005) by Health Act 2004 (42/2004), s. 75 and sch. 6, part 15 item 1(a), S.I. No. 887 of 2004; and as amended (1.01.2014) by Child and Family Agency Act 2013 (40/2013), s. 97 and sch. 2, part 8, S.I. No. 502 of 2013.
Previous affecting provision: proceedings brought by the Health Service Executive under collectively cited Child Care Acts 1991 to 2013 exempted from fees (10.07.2013) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 239 of 2013), art. 6(1)(d)(iii); revoked (3.12.2013) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) (No. 2) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 466 of 2013), art. 10.
Previous affecting provision: proceedings brought by Health Service Executive under collectively cited Child Care Acts 1991 to 2011 exempted from fees (10.04.2012) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 110 of 2012), art. 6(1)(d)(iii); revoked (10.07.2013) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 239 of 2013), art. 13.
Previous affecting provision: proceedings brought by Health Service Executive under collectively cited Child Care Acts 1991 to 2007 exempted from fees(22.08.2011) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 406 of 2011), art. 6(c)(iii); revoked (10.04.2012) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 110 of 2012), art. 11.
Previous affecting provision: proceedings brought by Health Service Executive under collectively cited Child Care Acts 1991 to 2007 exempted from fees (7.07.2008) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 200 of 2008); revoked (22.08. 2011) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 406 of 2011), art. 10.
Previous affecting provision: proceedings brought by Health Service Executive under collectively cited Child Care Acts 1991 and 2001 exempted from fees (15.01.2005) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 70 of 2005), art. 7(1)(c)(iii); revoked (7.07.2008) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 200 of 2008), art. 10.
Previous affecting provision: proceedings brought by Health Service Executive under collectively cited Child Care Acts 1991 and 2001 exempted from fees (1.01.2004) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 444 of 2004), art. 7(1)(c)(iii); revoked (15.01.2005) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 70 of 2005), art. 11.
Previous affecting provision: proceedings brought by health board under Child Care Act 1991 exempted from fees (5.03.2003) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 89 of 2003), art. 7(1); revoked (12.07.2004) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2004 (S.I. No.444 of 2004), art. 11.
Previous affecting provision: proceedings brought by health board under Child Care Act 1991 exempted from fees (25.10.2001) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) (No. 2) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 488 of 2001), art. 7(1); revoked (5.03.2003) by Supreme Court and High Court (Fees) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 89 of 2003), art. 11.