Dáil Éireann - Volume 504 - 05 May, 1999

Written Answers. - Legal Guardians.

Mr. Sargent Mr. Sargent

294. Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to review the provision made by parents of a child with a mental handicap to allow for a future guardian to be named in the will as the person to look after the child or adult who is to be left in the guardian's care. [11608/99]

Mr. O'Donoghue Mr. O'Donoghue

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): The law already provides, in the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964, for the appointment of a testamentary guardian of a child by the deed or will of a deceased parent. A parent can also, in the normal course in his or her will, make arrangements for the maintenance of any of his or her children who has a mental disability, through, for example, the appointment of trustees to manage the property willed to the child.

426

There is provision, arising from the jurisdiction of the High Court, for making a person a ward of [426] the court so as to protect the person and property of the ward.

While there are no proposals for change in these areas of the law, I can say that the laws are being kept under review.

Dáil Éireann 504 Written Answers. Legal Guardians.

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