Ms Kate Duggan:

It is important to say that the foster care payment was increased in the last budget by the Government and that was very welcome. Additionality was also given to foster carers to support them with travelling expenses or bringing children on access visits or to appointments. There is also an enhanced foster care allowance. If the child needs to access, say, therapeutic appointments, that enhanced foster care allowance can be made to foster carers too. It amounts to up to double the foster care allowance.