Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
51. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in light of the recent Government decision to grant payments of child benefit, she will work with her counterpart, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and consider fast tracking the proposed payment to foster carers. [8074/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters related to foster caring are the responsibility of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and for Tusla. This includes any supports, including financial support required by either the foster parents or the foster children that specifically relate to fostering.Tusla provides a Foster Care Allowance to foster parents in respect of each foster child in their care. This is currently paid at €350 per week for each child under 12 and €377 per week for each child over 12. In November 2024, the payment for children under 12 will increase to €400 per week, and for children aged 12 and over it will increase to €425 per week. The payment is made regardless of income or means.
Where a child is placed into care, the qualified parent, usually the child’s mother, retains the Child Benefit payment from my department for 6 months thereafter. After 6 months in continuous care, the Child Benefit may be paid to the foster carer instead.
In Budget 2024, the Government decided to extend the payment of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds who are in full-time education or have a disability. This was one of my key priorities in the Budget. We had originally provided that the change would take effect from September this year. However, I am very pleased that we are now able to bring this important change in from an earlier date and I have secured Government approval to do that. This change will benefit some 60,000 children annually.
Any foster carer receiving Child Benefit on the basis I have outlined will also benefit from this payment being brought forward where the child is 18 and is in full-time education or has a disability.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
