Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It is important in light of the fact that the number of foster carers has decreased. We want to arrest that decrease and preferably look at bringing the numbers up again. That is why I have taken a multi-strand approach to the allowance, to the once-off payment, to mileage, to the pension contribution, and to my engagement with Tusla about some of those organisational elements. We are looking at a suite of measures. It was useful that Tusla has brought forward its proposals for fostering at the same time.

We must work together. Some of the elements are directly within my Department's remit and some of them are outside of my Department. We are working to advance all of those because no one of those on their own will address the concerns I have heard from foster parents and their representative bodies.