Social Protection Committee to discuss pension and social protection related issues with representatives from Foster Care Ireland and the Irish Foster Care Association

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House between 09:30-12:30. 

The following representatives are due to appear:

• CEO of Foster Care Ireland – David Taylor

• CEO of Irish Foster Care Association – Catherine Bond 

• Finance Sub Group Vice Chairperson – Irish Foster Care Association – Brendan Gillen

• Chairperson - Irish Foster Care Association  - Raymond Nolan

 Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Denis Naughten said: “There are 3,984 foster carers looking after 5,265 children across the State according to the latest figures from the Child and Family Agency Tusla.”

“There are reported shortages of foster carers and foster families with more and more children and young people entering the fostering system each year. “The vast majority of foster carers have been asked to give up their employment upon becoming a foster carer in order to meet the complex and at time challenging needs of those in their carer.” 

“While foster carers receive a weekly allowance for the child placed in their care they do not receive any payment for themselves. which results in their not having adequate social welfare credits for eligibility for the contributory state retirement pension.”

“The provision of a pension entitlement proportional to the fostering allowance in order to make fostering more attractive, recruitment, retention and service levels are among the issues we will discuss with representatives tomorrow.” 

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.