Ms Kate Duggan:

It is important to mention that we have reviewed this matter over the past 12 months and identified two significant issues, the first of which is the capacity of private providers in terms of their marketing expertise and expertise in the use of social media platforms to attract new foster carers. We have identified and are in the process of recruiting expertise in that space to increase our ability to recruit foster carers. Second, we have identified the need to put additional supports into each of our new six regions in 2022. There will be an additional liaison worker going into each region to support Tusla foster carers in terms of responding to families in a more timely and integrated way, meeting them and helping them deal with the challenges they face, particularly around sustaining foster care places.