Mr. Ger Brophy:

Anybody can be a foster carer. People do not have to be single, married or have a partner. We try to match needs, as I referred to earlier. We would try to ensure there is at least one carer at home if the child is very young. Many children need placements and they have a variety of needs. They are aged between zero and 18. We mentioned education supports earlier. Education is important for those children and for carers, so that there is a place for them during the day. Anyone can do it. We welcome couples who are married, who are not married or who are in same-sex relationships. We have had real success with providing diverse placements. We are also trying to encourage more members of the Traveller community and Roma community to take up placements. We have a special project to involve them. We are open to that diversity and want to encourage it. I am delighted to have the opportunity today to invite people to come forward and to ring their local office or our fostering helpline to have a conversation with us. We work hard to get back to people as quickly as we can to respond to those inquiries. I am delighted to have the opportunity to say that.