Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

There are so many things I want to say that I do not quite know where to start. First, I thank everyone for coming to this meeting. Their input is crucial for committee members to understand the differences between specific issues in this area. Second, when we have these discussions it is really important to acknowledge the deeper cultural and societal problem that forces people into poverty and, because of the structure, keeps them there, as Senator Ruane acknowledged. The number of children who go into care from the dysfunctional system has to be highlighted. I thank the representatives for doing so.

With regard to speaking about foster carers and the different aspects of their role, which is very complex, it is important to highlight that we see everywhere unconscious bias towards people in poverty. The single biggest factor determining whether one is likely to end up in poverty is whether one is in a one-parent family. We need to acknowledge that. Foster parents do not always get everything right. No parent gets everything right; it is just a reality, and it is good to be able to talk about that as well.

On the need for more trauma-informed policy and more training, it is true of every Department. So often, I work with women fleeing domestic violence. When they go to the department responsible for local housing, there is not a trauma-informed response there. This needs to be played out throughout society. The need for the response in question is so prevalent it can very much be felt in the room today.

We cannot overstate the importance of foster carers. It is crucial to note children in foster care have better outcomes than children who go into residential care. In this regard, however, we should bear in mind what was said about particular attachment styles suiting certain children. I was not aware of that. For the most part, better outcomes are experienced by children in foster care by comparison with those in residential care. We need to focus on that. That 90% of children in care in Ireland are in foster care and 10% are in residential care is something we should be really proud of, but the fact the percentage in foster care is down from 92% is one we very much need to examine.

The allowance for caring for foster children under 18 years of age is €352 per week. I believe I am right in saying that. For over-18s, the allowance is €300 per week. However, that the rising cost of living has not been addressed in so long is simply outrageous for the most part because we know there is a reduction in the number going into foster care. We want to get the percentage back up to 92% or higher for better outcomes. That is key.

I have outlined the most important aspect, but it makes absolutely zero sense from a budgetary perspective that we are seeing a decline in the number of children entering foster care. I would like somebody to correct me if I am wrong in saying it costs €6,000 per week to keep somebody in residential care. It costs €352 per week to keep somebody in foster care but €6,000 per week to keep somebody in residential care. We are seeing a decline in the number of children entering foster care, and the allowance for foster families has not been looked at in so many years. Am I correct in stating there are roughly 60,000 children in foster care?