Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Charles Flanagan and Senator Mark Wall. Before we commence, I remind members participating remotely that they must do so from within the precincts of Leinster House.

I ask members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones, as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment. I ask committee members participating remotely to use the raised-hand icon on Microsoft Teams if they wish to contribute.

This meeting is convened to discuss pension issues and Department of Social Protection related matters for foster carers, which are listed as part of our work programme. There are currently 3,948 foster carers looking after 5,265 children throughout the State, according to the latest figures from the Child and Family Agency, Tusla. We are all aware of the reports on the shortage of foster carers and foster families, with more demands being placed on the fostering system each year. Sadly, those demands are further compounded by the numbers of unaccompanied minors arriving in Ireland as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. As the person who exposed and eventually secured the closure of the exploitative hostel system for unaccompanied foreign minors arriving in the State, which facilitated the scandalous disappearance of 443 children during the most prosperous decade this country has ever witnessed, I know how important the foster care system is in protecting unaccompanied children from being exploited and trafficked into and through this country.

The vast majority of foster carers have to give up their employment upon becoming a foster carer in order to meet the complex and at times challenging needs of those in their care. While foster carers receive a weekly allowance for the child placed in their care, they do not receive any payment for themselves, which results in them falling through the cracks in the social welfare system and thus denies them eligibility for a contributory State pension on retirement. This acts as a barrier to those wishing to take on the role of a foster parent at a time when we need to make fostering more attractive.

Last year, as part of the pre-budget submission to the Minister for Social Protection, the committee made a recommendation on addressing the pension issue for foster carers which is available on the Oireachtas website. When presenting this committee's report on the Pensions Commission's recommendations to Dáil Éireann, on behalf of the committee, I made specific reference to foster care parents who do not accrue a PRSI record as a result of the foster care payment. It is our view that the Pensions Commission's proposal on pensions for family carers should apply to foster carer parents in recognition of the vital work they do in our society.

I thank members of the committee for raising this important issue as a priority item on our work programme for this year. I especially thank the committee's policy advisor, Ms Haley O'Shea, for her work in compiling the briefing circulated by the committee secretariat to members. I welcome the representatives of the Irish Foster Care Association and Foster Care Ireland: Mr. David Taylor, Mr. Brendan Gillen, Ms Catherine Bond, Ms Clare Corridon and Mr. Raymond Nolan.

Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses, or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such request. I call on Ms Catherine Bond to make her opening remarks.