Dáil passes Bill to allow children in care to be adopted
A Bill which would allow children in care to be adopted has been passed by the Dáil this evening.
The Adoption (Amendment) Bill will allow any child to be adopted - irrespective of their parents' marital status - where the parents give their consent.
It will also provide for adoptions through the High Court when parents do not consent and for children in foster care to be adopted, as well as improved provisions to allow step-parents adopt.
The Bill will now move to the Seanad, with Children's Minister Katherine Zappone saying she hopes the law will be enacted next year.
