I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.
Orphan's contributory allowance and orphan's non-contributory pension, paid by my Department, are intended to provide income maintenance for children who satisfy the qualifying conditions.
The current definition of an orphan, which was introduced in 1995, includes children where one or both parents are still alive but have abandoned or refused or failed to provide for them. This approach was seen as a necessary response to changes in social and family circumstances.
At present orphan's, allowance payments in respect of children in foster care are made from my Department directly to the relevant health board in respect of, and for the benefit of, a child in foster care. The health board then combines the orphan's payment with the foster care allowance which is a health board payment to give a total payment to the foster carer of €281.50 in respect of a child under 12 and €308.50 in respect of a child aged 12 or over.
In line with the recommendation of an interdepartmental working group, and in consultation with the Irish Foster Care Association, the Social Welfare Bill 2003 provides that orphan's contributory allowance and orphan's non-contributory pension will no longer be payable to children in respect of whom foster care allowance is being paid.