asked the Minister for Health when his Department's review of the maintenance allowance payable to foster parents in respect of boarded-out children will be completed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Boarded-Out Children.
9.
My Department's review of the rates of maintenance allowances payable in respect of boarded-out children will be completed very soon, and any appropriate recommendations arising from that review will then be conveyed to health authorities. The Deputy will, of course, be aware that determination of the rates of allowances is a matter for decision by each individual health authority.
(Cavan): Could the Minister state when the present maintenance rate was fixed?
It varies according to counties. It was varied in April, 1963, in the case of some authorities. The rate was revised again in 1965, 1966 and 1967. It is a varying picture.
(Cavan): In relation to the counties that were fixed in 1963, would the Minister agree that the rate is now very much out of date and would require to be brought up to date immediately?
I would agree, but then the counties themselves have varying practices.
In view of the fact that the number of boarded-out children is dropping would the Minister not agree that it is about time those who take these children were paid at a reasonable rate because the rate at the moment is not reasonable?
The new rate will be going out shortly.
Before the rates are struck.
Could we have the gross amount in the aggregate of the supplementary amounts payable from the Exchequer to the rating authorities?
There is no estimate as yet. I would say approximately £2,500,000.