Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
269. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth why foster care payments are not index-linked and whether and when provision will be made to do so, given the criticality of the service provided and the fact foster care can be financially dynamic according the needs of a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45935/23]
View answerAs outlined in Budget 2024, from 1st January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for those over 12. The foster care allowance will be further increased in November 2024, up to €400 per week for children aged under 12 and €425 per week for those over 12.
The changes in Budget 2024 will bring the annual rate of the foster care allowance to an amount of €20,800 for a child under 12 and €22,100 for a child over 12.
I am committed to keeping the rates of the foster care allowance under review in the context of future budget discussions.
