Ms Marissa Ryan:

Ms Greene put it very succinctly and I really do not have anything to add. EPIC's pre-budget submission proposed that the fostering allowance should have been raised in the last budget. We continue to support that. We all accept that foster carers are the backbone of our child protection and welfare system. It does not mean that they should be resourced more or less than the other parts of the alternative care system, as Ms Greene said. They should be entitled to anything they need to provide safe and loving homes for children in care. As the Deputy said, it is all about children. They should be in receipt of the absolute best financially but also in the service supports they require to continue to support children in care.