William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank everybody for coming here today. I have used this analogy all of my political life.

Sinead is not alone. There are thousands of Sineads and Johns out there providing full-time care. I always say it is like pushing water up a hill. I still have to use that analogy, which I have been using for nearly 40 years now. I hope I am still a public representative on the day I am able to say, whether here or elsewhere, that I do not need to use it any more. Regrettably, the position has not changed, including in my county. As I always say, you will never receive good news without banging on a drum to get what you are entitled to. I guarantee you will never get a letter without having to look for it. That does not happen in this country, which is a pity.

I will say just a quick word on fostering because I know a few of the families involved. The witnesses are right. Foster care is about the love of children, kids and teenagers who get into trouble. Certain homes are very good at it and certain people are excellent at it. It is not a monetary thing. I have never seen a case where it was a monetary thing. It is about the love of children and giving back to someone who needs support and love from a parent. When I meet the people I know who provide foster care I say, "I see you have an extra one with you today", and I always say thank you. I came across a person who did this all their life and when it came to getting a pension they were told there was a problem and they were not entitled to the contributory old age pension because of that. I thought it was sad and I hope we can address it.

I agree with the previous speaker on the cost of fostering. In my town of Portlaoise the health board has houses for some of the people we are talking about. I often see three, four or five cars outside belonging to people who are working in these houses all day, so I do not need to be told what it is costing. Foster carers do a fabulous job. We should be rolling out the red carpet for them.