Vol. 543 No. 1
211 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the anomaly which exists in respect of orphan's pension and the far higher rate of payment for fostering; his views on whether this acts as a disincentive for relatives to care for children who have been orphaned; if he will consider streamlining all payments for the care of non-birth children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25795/01]
The orphans payments paid by my Department are intended to provide income maintenance for children who satisfy the qualifying conditions. At present orphans contributory allowance and maximum rate orphans non-contributory pension are each paid at a rate of £63.60, 80.76, per week.
This represents a substantially higher rate than other payments made by my Department in respect of children, namely, child dependant allowance and child benefit. In addition, orphans payments are increased each year in line with the standard budget increases afforded to other income support payments.
The foster care allowance paid by the health boards is paid at a rate of £200, 253.95, per week in respect of children aged under 12 and £220, 279.34, per week in respect of children aged over 12. Since August 2001 the orphans payment is paid directly to the health boards on behalf of and for the benefit of each child in foster care.
Foster carers operate within a very specific framework, they are subject to rigorous scrutiny and ongoing monitoring by the health boards and the children in their care are subject to a care plan. This means that foster carers have additional responsibilities and duties in respect of the children in their care, such as working with health board personnel. The report of the working group on foster care noted that foster carers require extra financial support as there are additional costs involved in looking after foster children.
The two payments systems have significantly different objectives and purposes. The orphans payments, paid by my Department, are designed as income support measures while the foster care allowance not only provides income support but also recognises the additional responsibilities and expenses faced by foster carers.
In the circumstances, I do not consider that there is a case for standardising payments in this area. I am not aware of any cases where the current structure acts as a disincentive for relatives to care for children who have been orphaned.
