Welfare of abandoned newborn to be considered by Child and Family Agency, Tusla

Should the mother of the newborn baby girl discovered in Rathcoole on Friday afternoon be located and wish to care for the child, it is understood that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency will conduct a risk assessment of the case.

As the parents of the infant have yet to come forward, the child's welfare currently lies in the hands of Tusla who were contacted by Tallaght Hospital after the child's admission last week.

Considering the sensitivity of the case, a source said: "There is no hard and fast rule. The best way to deal with this is through risk assessment. Reunification has to be ultimately the aim of the State."

A Garda press conference is due to take place this morning in an effort to locate the child's parents, but it is understood plans will be put into place regarding fostering or adoption if the infant isn't reunited with her mother.

Despite these plans, those familiar with the process have said: "I would expect them at this stage to have an open mind. The preference is always for the child to be brought up by the mother, who has Constitutional rights."

According to the process that takes place under the 1991 Child Care Act, if the mother comes forward, she will be reunited with her child over a period of time with the support of the State, but if the welfare of the child is brought into question during this time, Tusla can implement statutory powers to seek custody.

While a spokeswoman for Tusla asserted that the agency cannot comment on individual cases, Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, special rapporteur on child protection, said: "The Child and Family Agency has a duty to reunite a child with its parent where such a course of action is consistent with the child’s welfare."