Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 1

Written Answers. - Foster Children and Families.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

69 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the number of foster families and children fostered, according to the most recent data available, on a national or health board basis; the weekly allowance and other special payments made; whether these families are in receipt of orphan's allowance or pension; the families, if any, in receipt of orphan's allowance that receive fostering payments; whether all such families qualify; the rules and regulations that govern this matter; the actions, if any, that can be taken to remove the perception that relatives accepting responsibilities for orphaned children are discriminated against by not being considered for fostering payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7798/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Mr. Currie)

The detailed information requested by the Deputy in relation to the latest available statistics on foster children and foster families was set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 13 March 1996.

The payment of fostering allowances is governed by the Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995 which came into operation on 31 October last. The standard rate of allowance payable, effective from 1 March last, is £44.20 per child per week for those under 12 years of age and £60 per child per week for those over 12 years of age. Health boards may pay higher rates of allowances in particular cases where, for example, a child has a disability or has other special needs. Boards also make a range of additional payments to cover items such as clothing, school and medical items.

The Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations 1995, which also came into effect on 31 October last, provide for the payment of allowances to relatives who have children placed with them by health boards in accordance with the regulations. The standard rate of allowance in such cases is the same as that applicable to foster parents. The other financial and support services available to foster parents apply also in cases where children are placed by health boards with relatives.

A small number of children placed in foster care by health boards may also qualify for the orphan's allowance payable by the Department of Social Welfare. I understand that, in such cases, it is the usual practice of health boards to reduce the standard fostering allowance by the amount of the other allowance received.

Statistics in relation to children placed in foster care by health boards and who also receive orphan's allowance are not collected as a matter of routine by my Department.

If the Deputy is aware of difficulties arising in relation to any particular case, he should bring the details to my attention and I will investigate the matter with the health board concerned.