Vol. 550 No. 2
334 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason there is a difference in the rate of allowance paid by health boards for children in foster care and for boarded out adults; his views on whether these rates should be equal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7996/02]
The restructured foster care allowance scheme, which was introduced last year, was designed to achieve the objectives of the recommendations of the working group on foster care: Foster Care – A Child-Centred Partnership. The new rates of foster care allowance for 2002 are €270.50 per week per child under 12 and €296.50 per week per child of 12 or over. The Department of Health and Children has indicated in the letters of determination to the health boards that it is proposed to increase the maximum contribution payable by a health board in respect of the boarding out scheme for older people. This will require regulations being laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The revised rates of maximum contribution payable are being considered at present.
The foster care allowance is paid in respect of children who have been taken into the care of the health board under the provisions of the Child Care Act, 1991, for their care and protection, and placed in foster care or relative care in accordance with the Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995 or the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations, 1995. Foster care is the main form of alternative care for those children who cannot be looked after in their own home. Under the regulations a health board must assess the needs of a child placed in care and the suitability of the prospective foster or relative carers and draw up a child care plan. The implementation of the child care plan places significant responsibilities and duties on foster carers, whether relatives or non-relatives. The foster care allowance is paid in recognition of these additional responsibilities and the additional costs of looking after foster children.
The boarding out scheme for older people is designed to provide an alternative to nursing home care for older people. The two schemes, which are based on a different statutory and regulatory basis, are therefore designed to meet the needs of two completely different groups of people. There is no basis, therefore, for linking the two schemes and there are no proposals to synchronise the rates.
