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

I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee.

Our engagement on the foster care system has highlighted insufficient resources and supports for foster carers, as outlined by Deputy Sherlock. This puts carers under severe pressure especially when the child or young person has high levels of need. It is great to hear that Tusla was advocating for an increase in the allowance in the budget, not just for all of the obvious reasons such as better outcomes for children, but it makes budgetary sense when we know that it costs €6,000 to put somebody into residential care. I am curious to know if there is a figure for how much we have spent on that.