Mr. Kevin McCarthy:

Tusla will seek the place that best suits the needs of the child. In cases where there is not an immediate placement available, it will do what it can to try and secure a suitable placement, which would be within the community, if not within the child's family or extended family which would be the first port of call. That is always the fundamental driving factor.

In terms of foster care overall, there has been a reduction in the number of foster carers between 2021 and 2020. The Deputy may have seen earlier this year that Tusla embarked on an awareness raising campaign. It is an area where, obviously, we are heavily reliant on foster care provision. It is the best form of provision for children.