Gerry Adams
Ceist:1948. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if appropriate contracts are in place for all foster care placements in counties Louth and Meath. [28566/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 20 June 2017
Ceisteanna (1948)
Freagraí scríofa
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has responsibility for foster care services in each of the 17 regional areas, including Louth and Meath. In a recent themed inspection of foster care services in Louth and Meath the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) found that there were 217 foster care households in the area, 159 of which were general foster carers and 58 were relative foster carers. The inspection identified that contracts were not in place for all relative foster carers who had children placed with them, but did not raise this as an issue in relation to general foster carers. In response to the finding Tulsa has undertaken a review and has confirmed that this breach in standards (no contract on the file) was limited to a small number of foster carers (three) identified in the inspection.