Ms Kate Duggan:

For example, it may be demonstrated or assessed by a social worker in consultation with a foster carer that a child has particular extra medical needs requiring additional payment. Perhaps the child might need additional therapeutic supports not available to them in the public system. In such a case, we would support a foster carer to pay to access those privately. Orthodontic treatment is an example. The enhanced payment has been set at a maximum of twice the weekly rate. The maximum to be paid for a child under 12 is €650. It is important to say those enhanced payments must be for an identified medical or educational need. They must be assessed by the social worker as required and they must be approved.

I will speak to the chief executive officer's earlier point. We recognise and have heard over the past couple of months that there are some inconsistencies across our areas with the approval of those enhanced payments. The Deputy will see in the forthcoming plan very set guidelines around the standardisation of those enhanced payments. Where a child or young person is in foster care, there may be a requirement for modification to a house, either to support a child with a disability or medical needs or where a foster family is willing to take a child in placement, Tusla will also support modification of building works required for a house.