Ms Breda O'Donovan:

That is our concern. We must ensure that foster carers are fully supported in the role they do and are listened to. They are living with a child 24 hours a day, seven days per week. They know the child, its aspirations and hopes for the future. They also know of what the child is capable. Foster carers must be part and parcel of this. I know foster care would not be an equal partner but such carers must work in partnership, not only with Tusla but with other agencies, mental health services and everybody across the board. We are involved with a range of issues with our children and it would be the same with a foster child.