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

In addition, is it the case that if someone in foster care has high additional needs, his or her foster family cannot pay privately for an assessment of need? I think that is based on the fact that the young person is technically in the care of Tusla rather than the family, so he or she must wait on the list even if the foster family wants to get a private assessment. I am curious to know what is the case with that.

Another issue we spoke about previously is not getting the back-to-school allowance when a child is in foster care. That seems like an outrageous reality at the moment.

Another main point that was raised in the discussion on foster care is the importance of a consistent key worker in a young person's life. That aligns with evidence from the Simon Communities of Ireland today with particular reference to young people in the foster care process. What measures are being taken by Tusla to ensure children in foster care have access to the same support workers, as much as is viable?

The final issue I wish to raise concerns family resource centres, FRCs. They are a vital support service for vulnerable groups across the country. We are lucky to have so many of them, but they are running on threadbare budgets. The centres in Bandon and Skibbereen in my constituency are in desperate need of permanent locations. From a strategic point of view, what is Tusla going to do to fund and ensure the development of FRCs, which are such an integral part of the support for people in the medium and long term? Those bodies are entirely dependent on funding from Tusla. I am not aware of whether Tusla is dealing with them. Some FRCs are in HSE-owned buildings and others are not. I do not know how to help or support groups that need a permanent home.