asked the Minister for Social Welfare why foster children are not included in the old age care allowance scheme; if he will consider including foster children in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age (Care) Allowance.
16.
This scheme, at present, is confined to specified female relatives of the incapacitated person. A female foster child is such a relative for the purposes of the scheme if she has been legally adopted, but not otherwise. The Deputy will have heard in the budget statement that the scheme of prescribed relative allowance for certain pensioners is being extended to cover male relatives and it is proposed to make a corresponding extension in the case of the old age (care) allowance also. Further extension of the scheme is not contemplated at present.
Under the scheme such persons as daughters-in-law and nieces are covered. Therefore, it is my opinion that there is discrimination against foster children who, in most cases, are very much regarded as being members of the family with whom they are living. Therefore, I would urge the Minister to have foster children included in the scheme. We all know of many foster children who, after they have come of age, continue to live with their foster parents.
As I have said in the reply, a wide category of persons is covered. Legally adopted children are covered.
A foster child is very much a member of a family.
Regarding legal entitlement, there is a big difference between a legally adopted child and a foster child.
That does not alter the fact that foster children are regarded as members of the families with whom they are living.