A child in the care of a health board can be placed with relatives or foster parents outside the State, the High Court decided yesterday. But the power to so place a child lies with the District Court, not health boards, Mr Justice Finnegan ruled.
The judge was answering questions submitted following an application by a health board seeking a direction that a child be placed with a relative in the UK.
There was no limitation on the exercise by the District Court of its powers and it could lawfully direct the placement of a child with relatives or foster parents outside the State, the judge decided.
