Each placement with the private foster care agency referred to by the Deputy is the subject of an individual contract on a case by case basis. I am advised by Tusla that as of the 10th May 2018, Tusla has 23 contracts for foster care placements with the company to which the Deputy refers.
It should be noted that children being cared for by a private foster care company remain in the care of Tusla at all times and have a Tusla allocated social worker. The Tusla Foster Care Committee approves all applications by the private company for families to be eligible to foster.