Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
119. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration will be given to increasing the foster care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50533/22]
View answerFoster care is the preferred option in Ireland for children who cannot live with their parents or guardians. Approximately 89% of children in care are currently being cared for by foster carers, enabling them to live in a safe, secure, and stable home environment.
Foster carers are paid at a rate of €325 per week for a child under 12, and €352 per week for a child over 12 and under 18. In certain circumstances, where the necessary criteria are met, enhanced and additional payments may be made.
In addition to the foster care allowance, foster carers receive a number of targeted supports to ensure they continue to function as a recognised and valued part of the alternative care system. Key elements of this support include a link social worker, access to training and support group meetings and the allocation of a social worker for each child in care. Respite care for children may be arranged if it is part of their care plan.
The foster care allowance is one element of the support that Tusla provides to carers when they offer a home and care to children some of whom may have additional, and sometimes significant, needs.
I am aware of the fact that the basic rates of the foster care payment have not been increased since 2009, and I am acutely aware of the disappointment of foster carers that no increase was granted in the recent budget. Myself and the CEO of Tusla met in the aftermath of the budget, and discussed the issues of supports to foster carers. I recognise that foster carers, like many others, are experiencing cost of living pressures and both myself and Tusla want to respond to this in a positive and meaningful way.Following this engagement it has been agreed that a single additional once-off cost of living payment is to be paid in respect of each child in foster care. The payment is to be made at the current foster care allowance rate of €325 for a child under 12 and €352 for a child over 12 and under 18 years. It is the intention of Tusla and my Department that the payment should issue before the end of 2022, to all applicable cohorts of foster carers, including foster carers working with private providers.
I hope that this once off payment will go some way to alleviating the financial pressures foster carers are currently facing. I will continue to engage with Tusla in the coming months to improve the supports available to foster carers, and I will make every effort in future budgets to address the issue of an increase to the rates of the foster care allowance.
Separately the Tusla Board has on Friday 30th September 2022 considered a major improvement plan for foster care covering a wide range of issues. I am committed to working with Tusla on the issues raised in that review and in the consultations, including with foster carers, that contributed to its development.
