Written Answers. - Foster Care.
Róisín Shortall
Question:
262
Ms Shortall
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the amount of the payment made to foster parents; his views on the adequacy of this payment in view of the essential service which they provide and the expense which they save the State in not having to provide residential care; his further views as to whether the level of payment is a factor in the health boards' difficulties in recruiting foster families; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7247/99]
Allowances are paid in respect of children who are in the care of health boards in accordance with the Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations, 1995. The standard rate of allowance payable, effective from 5 June last, is £60.25 per child per week for those under 12 years of age and £73.75 per child per week for those over 12 years of age. In addition there are a number of discretionary payments made by health boards which cover items such as medical, school or clothing expenses.
In line with the commitment to develop foster care, the allowance for children over 12 years of age was increased last year by £6.25, in addition to the normal increase given in line with increases in Social, Community and Family Affairs allowances. This year the allowances for foster children under 12 will be increased by the same amount over and above the normal increases made in line with increases in the Social, Community and Family Affairs allowances. In addition for the first time last year a special payment of £100, over and above the normal Christmas bonus, was given in respect of each child in foster care in December.
I am aware that there are a number of issues in relation to foster care which need to be reviewed. These include the issues of recruiting, training and retaining foster parents, allowances, the provision of support for foster parents and foster children, foster care for children with special needs, foster care for children with behavioural difficulties and relative fostering. I therefore established, last October, a working group on foster care to review all aspects of foster care. Its membership includes nominees from the Department of Health and Children, the health boards, the Irish Foster Care Association and a foster parent.
The terms of reference of the group are as follows:
Accepting that where a child requires care outside their own family, in particular if they require care for long periods, they should, as a general rule be cared for in another family; the Working Party on Foster Care is asked to make recommendations, as soon as possible, on all aspects of foster care and in particular in relation to the following areas:
The requirements for the recruitment and training of foster parents;
the ongoing training and support that should be provided for foster families;
the development of relative fostering;
the requirements for the further development of the foster care service;
the support and training required for special fostering arrangements and
the support and training required for fostering arrangements for children with behavioural problems.
I expect that the group will be in a position to submit a report to me before the end of the year.
In addition I have established a number of pilot projects in relation to training, relative fostering and fostering for children with behavioural difficulties. This year I included in the net determination of the health boards a total of £1.1 million for a foster care package.
I am confident that all of these initiatives will help to address any major difficulties there may be in relation to the provision of foster care services.
