Vol. 545 No. 5
54 Mr. B. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether it is appropriate that the grandparents of children who may be in danger can obtain the foster care payment when children are under their control and charge; the number of cases where the health boards have provided such support to immediate family members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30753/01]
Foster care allowances are paid in respect of children who are placed in foster care or relative care under the Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995, or the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations, 1995. The children in respect of whom these allowances are paid must be in the care of the health board, under the Child Care Act, 1991, either on a voluntary basis or by court order. Under the regulations, a health board must assess the needs of a child placed in care and the suitability of the prospective foster or relative carers, and draw up a child care plan. The implementation of the child care plan places significant responsibilities and duties on foster carers, whether relatives or non-relatives. The foster care allowance is paid in recognition of these additional responsibilities and the additional costs of looking after foster children. The most recent figures available, from the child care interim minimum dataset 2000, indicate that there are 790 children in respect of whom foster care allowance is being paid to family members.
Responsibility for the provision of relative care, where appropriate, rests with the health board, who must regard the welfare of the child, and his or her adequate care and protection as the first and paramount consideration. It is the Government's policy to promote further strengthening of the child welfare and protection and family support services, of which foster care is a critically important part.
