Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Sometimes we hear the expression, "There is money there", which I understand, but this has come to the forefront in recent weeks for me and other Deputies.

The biggest issue is the question of whether fostering will continue if this keeps going on. I refer to the cost-of-living crisis. There was such love among the foster mothers I spoke to, but equally such love among the children as well. It is a situation where it is important for us to have more social workers, but this is mainly about the children. They are my main priority, and we must ensure we have as many foster families as possible. In that regard, in the context of the cost-of-living crisis we, as politicians, must ensure we do all we can to support foster carers and that extra funding is provided for them. This needs to happen.

Another point raised with me was aftercare for children, perhaps related to college or further supports. Representatives of the Simon Community were with us before Mr. Gloster and his colleagues joined us. We spoke with them about the issue of adults over 18 falling between the cracks and into homelessness. I feel this is the case, and I have said we need more joined-up thinking between Tusla, local authorities and the HSE. There must be full reform in this context. I reiterate that when working with people the biggest issue I have found is that it is not possible for them to go on the housing list because they have no addresses and equally impossible for them to go on social welfare for the same reason. If people want a medical card in that context, what card can be given? I am not blaming anyone for the lack of joined-up thinking, because we could all blame each other. We all have a duty of care in this regard. I ask, therefore, that we set in train some sort of joined-up thinking process with all the different agencies. I ask that this possibility be examined.

Returning to the issue of children in care going to college, I raise the issue of what further supports are available in this type of situation, whether that might involve allowances or whatever. Another point raised with me was that not everybody, whether living within care with a foster family or not, wishes to go to college. As Mr. Gloster said, some people may want to be apprentices or to take up something like that. What kind of funding and supports can be availed of by people who do not wish to go to college but might wish to do something else?

I thank all the witnesses for coming in. We are all passionate about this topic. One of my family is a foster carer and I am very much aware of what is happening in this area. I therefore think we can do much more. My bottom line is that everyone needs to work together to see what we can do.