Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The financial increases are very welcome. I stand with the witnesses in looking for that kind of priority, wrap-around service. Especially, let us say, if a child is best placed with a relative, like a cousin, aunt or grandparent, and they are working full time, it can be a major upheaval or maybe a barrier to fostering if you are in full-time employment. You might be very well placed to take a child of secondary school age, but I would imagine you need a little bit of time to adapt your household and schedule, and there is no leave or anything available.