asked the Minister for Health the fostering payment rates in operation in the eight health boards on 1 April 1983.
849.
Written Answers . - Fostering Payment Rates
848.
asked the Minister for Health if he intends to set minimum rates for fostering payments in accordance with the provision of Article 15 of the Boarding-out regulations, 1983.
850.
asked the Minister for Health if he considers the prevailing rate of orphans contributory pension to be the appropriate minimum rate for fostering payments.
: I propose to take Questions Nos. 848 to 850 inclusive, together.
The rates of allowances at present paid by the respective health boards are set out in the tabular statement hereunder.
I consider that the minimum allowance for foster care should be not less than the non-contributory's orphan's allowance under the social welfare code and my Department have recommended this guideline to the health boards. In fact, however, some of the health boards pay more than the recommended minimum rate in respect of older children.
The linking of allowances to the social welfare rates allows for the automatic revision of the allowances by the boards in line with social welfare increases without any specific direction from me. The new regulations (article 15) make provision however for the giving of such a direction should circumstances so require.
|
Health Board |
Age Group |
Long-Term maintenance allowance per week |
Short-Term maintenance allowance per week |
Other allowances |
|
£ |
£ |
|||
|
Eastern |
0-5 |
24.83 |
28.50 |
£60 First Holy |
|
5+ |
28.58 |
28.50 |
Communion |
|
|
£80 Confirmation |
||||
|
Midland |
0-9 |
20.00 |
25.00 |
— |
|
9+ |
22.50 |
25.00 |
— |
|
|
Mid-Western |
0-12 |
20.64 |
20.64 |
— |
|
12+ |
23.12 |
20.64 |
— |
|
|
North-Eastern |
0-6 |
19.20 |
19.20 |
— |
|
6+ |
21.20 |
21.24 |
— |
|
|
North-Western |
0-5 |
19.20 |
19.20 |
— |
|
5+ |
21.60 |
21.60 |
— |
|
|
South-Eastern |
0-8 |
22.64 |
24.90 |
£30 First Holy |
|
8-12 |
23.12 |
24.90 |
Communion |
|
|
12+ |
23.60 |
24.90 |
£40 Confirmation |
|
|
Southern |
0-5 |
20.35 |
19.20 |
— |
|
5-11 |
23.94 |
22.30 |
— |
|
|
11+ |
24.77 |
22.30 |
— |
|
|
Western |
0-5 |
19.20 |
19.20 |
— |
|
5+ |
21.20 |
21.20 |
— |