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

I want to agree with the previous speaker. Can the Minister discuss the report carried out by the Empowering People in Care, EPIC? The participants are seeking to ensure that the recommendations in this report influence and become the focus for policy.

The report found that most of the participants were able to identify people who made a tangible difference in their care experience, whether through the provision of practical, health, legal or emotional supports. This is important. One young person described having been given a second chance at life through being in care. That demonstrates how life-changing care can be for children and young people. It is important that we place the right value on having positive people in the care sector.

I wish to focus on those in care who have a disability, particularly as it has now been moved to within the remit of the Minister’s Department. Some of the participants in the report referred to a lack of recognition among care professionals of the distinctive nature of certain disabilities. Difficulties in securing appropriate accommodation and accessibility issues in foster homes, residential care and social housing also featured prominently in the report. Participants shared their experience of struggling to identify and access services and encountering slow responses, delays, cancellations, rejections or accessibility issues. They also referred to the let-downs in the system. That was the big issue. I ask the Minister to explain that. How can we do what is needed going forward?

All Deputies have met foster carers in their constituencies who have come to us with their worries and concerns. In 2001, the working group on foster care recommended that the fostering allowance be increased in line with social welfare payments annually, which it usually was. However, there has been no increase since 2009. A report on travel allowance is being compiled, as the Minister stated. The timescale on this is crucial. The mileage rate needs to be considered. Foster carers provide an invaluable contribution to the State because they want to bring positive change into the life of a child in need, yet this contribution is ignored by various Departments and agencies. The foster carers I met with felt they were being ignored by the State. They told me that although foster carers receive a payment for fostering children, they receive no PRSI credits and are not eligible to receive a pension. Some of these foster parents are doing this on a full-time basis but are completely ineligible to receive a State pension. Does the Minister support foster carers having access to the contributory State pension?

The Minister is aware that there are issues relating to the alternative care system. We discussed them at a previous meeting. One of those issues is the lack of foster families. Is it a struggle to find such families? Is that down to a lack of State supports? The Minister stated that the number of foster carers has reduced. I have spoken to foster care families. They believe the system is not fit for purpose and cannot keep going the way it is. EPIC referred to delays, cancellation, rejection and so on. There are significant concerns for families. I know many foster care families. A family member of mine is a foster carer. I see the commitment and dedication and love for the children. All Deputies have been meeting many foster carers in recent months. I ask that more be done. I know it is a priority for the Minister and that he will do his best but there are concerns going forward that foster carers will be lost, not because they do not want to do it but because they need support and help. The delays for the children and everything else needs to be addressed. I ask the Minister to consider those issues. I thank him for his time.