International, European and Irish legislation and policy underpin health and social care practice. The EU provide conventions and charters on rights of children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. The Childcare Act (1991) has been the most significant piece of Irish legislation that underpins social care practice, however in the last decade there has been a significant increase in the  development of legislation, mostly in response to the both the emerging needs of society and its members and also developed from enquiries and tribunals into how the state failed in its care to Irish citizens in the past. Examples of some of the relevant legislation, policies and strategic plans are listed below