Dan Boyle
Question:314 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Health and Children the rates payable per child per health board area, if variable, for approved foster parents. [17512/03]
Written Answers. - Foster Care.
The new foster care allowance scheme, which was introduced in August 2001, was designed to give effect in practice to the recommendations contained in the report of the working group on foster care, Foster Care: A Child-Centred Partnership, and to ensure that all children in foster care are treated fairly and equitably. The report recommended that all payments made in addition to the basic foster care allowance should be abolished and that the basic allowance should be increased. The current rates of payment are €281.50 per week per child under the age of 12, and €308.50 per week per child aged 12 and over.