Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019
490. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of private providers engaged in sourcing foster care here; the amount paid to each private provider in 2018; and the number of children placed in foster care by each provider in the same year. [10351/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may be aware that private providers do not place children in foster care. All children in foster care, regardless of provider, are in the care of the Child and Family Agency. If Tusla cannot source a placement within its own pool of foster carers, a private provider may be approached to provide a placement. All foster carers providing a foster care service, including those employed by private foster care companies, are assessed by Tusla's Foster Care Committee, prior to commencing placements.
As regards the number of children placed in foster care in 2018, I have written to Tusla to request the figures to which the Deputy refers.
