asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange with each health authority for an increase towards the maintenance of boarded-out children in foster homes; and if he will arrange that the minimum amount be £3 per week.
Ceisteanna—Questions, Oral Answers. - Maintenance of Foster Children.
3.
The amount of the maintenance allowances payable to foster parents in respect of boarded-out children is a matter for determination by each health authority. My Department is reviewing these rates of allowances and the Deputy's suggestion will be taken into considerations in deciding on any recommendations which may be made to the health authorities following that review.
Bearing in mind that the present rate for some counties is as low as 13/- a week would the Minister exercise his authority and recommend such local authorities to increase the rate to at least £3 per week?
As the Deputy knows, his own county at the moment is one of the highest in the country.
I think it is the highest.
With the exception of Dublin, yes.
What is Dublin?
It varies from £104 down to £78, £52 and so on throughout the country. There is a lack of uniformity about it. We are reviewing the rates of allowances paid not only for boarded-out children but for people in similar circumstances in relation to the increase in the cost of living and the general standard to be applied. The Department is going into this at the moment.
The Minister has taken a very active interest in this matter but I want to ask him to make sure that there will be no delay because it is very obvious that certain people are bearing the responsibility of society and, while they do not object to this, it is no reason why local authorities should take full advantage of it and pay a meagre amount, as little in many cases as 13/- or £1? Would the Minister ensure that every effort is made to bring up the allowance?
At the end of November the health authority in Donegal passed this resolution for £3 a week. We propose to offer no objection to that and I think the advertisement is being issued fairly soon.
I am talking about other local authorities.
These will be looked at as a result of the general review.