Ms Catherine Bond:

To answer the Chairman's question regarding the top three issues for Tusla, one would be the development of policies that are consistent in their application and that are evaluated and monitored. Another important issue is the promotion of strong working partnerships. IFCA works very well with Tusla but that is not something that can be taken for granted. Tusla must proactively work to ensure good relationships with partners. The other main issue for foster carers would be the allocation of link social workers and children-in-care social workers. Again, we are aware that Tusla is engaged in a recruitment drive. As the EPIC representatives have said, it is difficult at the moment to recruit social workers. Recruitment is challenging and then when social workers are recruited, retention issues arise. We need to evaluate the caseloads of social workers because their work is challenging. There is a lot of trauma involved and, at the end of the day, social workers are only human. We need to support our social workers in the work they are doing.

The Chairman asked about confidence in Tusla. We respect the fact that Tusla is a relatively young agency and that it inherited a lot of systems from the HSE. A transformation process is taking place. Tusla issued a statement yesterday acknowledging that while a lot of changes are taking place, more work needs to be done. We need to stick with it. We need to work with Tusla and support our colleagues in that organisation. There are people in Tusla who are working incredibly hard but it is not perfect. We have data on the services provided to foster children and their carers and we are the conduit for channelling that information to Tusla. It is by working in partnership that we can address the issues. As long as we have open, trusting relationships that are respectful and we all work in the best interests of children, then I am confident we will get there.

My colleague, Ms O'Donovan, will answer the questions on funding.