Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)

I thank the witnesses for coming in today. I agree with Deputy Guirke that they do great work I also thank Ms Tighe for giving her testimony. It is sad that people in her situation have to fight so hard for everything that they get. Carers generally do not have the energy or time to put in that fight.

One of the issues I have is that women - it is primarily women - are being judged based on their partners' income. The assumption being made is that their partners are sharing their income. This leaves women exposed to financial abuse. The means test for carers allowance is currently denying some people financial independence. Have the witnesses come across this phenomenon? What percentage of carers are women? That question is for Family Carers Ireland.

I have a question for the Irish Foster Care Association. What is the cost of residential care compared with the cost of foster care within a home environment? What are the pension implications for a foster parent who cannot work due to the obligations of fostering? Has the Government given any commitment to resolve the anomaly with the pension? I fully agree with the witnesses on the back to school allowance. The cost outlined of €1 million is very low. The back to school allowance should be attached to the child and it should be easy for foster parents to avail of it.

Is the number of people who are fostering children reducing?