asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report of the annual general meeting of the Infant Aid Society held in Dublin last week if; in view of this report he will instruct all local authorities to take immediate steps to find foster homes by seeking the assistance of foster parents; and if he will instruct local authorities to bring their boarded out allowances into line with present day demands.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foster Homes.
63.
My attention has been drawn to the report referred to by the Deputy. Health authorities generally are well aware that it has always been the policy of my Department to encourage them to board-out children to the greatest possible extent. They advertise regularly for foster parents in the public press and they also make contact with prospective foster parents through their own officers and others interested in the welfare of children.
The amount of allowances payable to foster parents is a matter to be decided by each health authority and I am aware that a number of authorities have increased their allowances in recent months.