Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
602. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if the rule which saw foster parents unable to access child benefit for six months as laid out in the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 SI No. 859 of 2007 have been reviewed; if so, when; if not, if she will consider reviewing them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52731/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware supports for foster parents are a matter for Tusla and the Minister for Children, Equality, Integration, Disability and Youth.
Tusla provide a Foster Care Allowance (FCA) to foster parents in respect of each foster child in their care. This is currently paid at €325 per week for each child under 12 and €352 per week for each child over 12. The FCA is paid regardless of income or means and it is not assessed as means for the purposes of any social welfare payment.
In addition, Tusla offers strong support structures to assist the child, carer and family during the fostering term. Tusla also provides training for the carer or family, on-going liaison with social workers, insurance and a medical card for the child in care.
Article S159 (8) of Statutory Instrument 142 of 2007 provides that after six months a foster carer may apply to receive Child Benefit in respect a foster child or children in their care. This approach has been adopted because in many circumstances the birth parents of the child don't stop receiving the child benefit for their child immediately on the child being taken into care, but only after six months of the child being in care. These arrangements accommodate situations whereby a child might be taken into foster care temporarily and be returned to their birth parent(s) after a short period of time and thus it helps maintains the important link between the birth parent and their child.
Overall, I am satisfied that the current provisions regarding the arrangements for transferring Child Benefit to foster carers are appropriate and I do not have any plans to amend these arrangements at this time.
