Mr. Raymond Nolan:

I thank the Chair, Senators and Deputies. After listening to everybody's contributions today, one more comes to my mind, which is investment in the child in care and investment in the needs and supports for foster parents. Other investments come to mind too. The child is front and centre. At the child's shoulder is a foster family in 90% of cases. These two young people, Ms Lauren O'Toole and Mr. Rory Brown, are a testament to good foster care. Unfortunately, the outcomes are not always that good. They are not as good as a guy becoming a teacher. To come through the care system and become a teacher is fantastic. This investment needs to happen. I think of what Senator O'Sullivan said earlier about reports in 18 months. We do not have 18 months to save and improve the system. We need to act immediately. It is important to support the children and meet their needs.

I have two basic rules and principles in foster care. The first one is to care for and nurture children, meet their needs, and uphold their rights. The second rule is not to forget the first rule. It is important to meet children's needs. Their needs are not being met in foster care. We are waiting too long for services. I know of an incident in our home where a child waited for two and a half years for an assessment. Something that was actioned by Tusla in March 2020 only concluded this summer. We got the report in August.

Two and a half years is a long time in the life of a child aged 11 or 12. It is too long. These children will be adults at 18. From studies, we know they are way behind a child turning 18 in the broader community and population. In instances, they are a long way behind, maybe seven to ten years in the case of foetal alcohol syndrome. It is also unfair to call a child who has been in the care system an adult at 18. It is very unfair. We are not looking at this in a proper manner at all. We are just not doing our job. We are ticking boxes. It is grand to roll out specific services, and they are gratefully accepted, but it is no good if they are not available to the children who need them. I always consider for comparison the question of how long I would wait to go to see a dentist if I had a toothache. Would I wait two and a half years? I certainly would not. This is the measure we must look at. These children are in care for a reason. Sometimes the reason is neglect. Therefore, it is very unfair when they come into State care that it neglects them as well by having them wait for two and a half years to receive a service. Provision should be instant, and it needs to be so if we are to succeed.

Regarding supporting foster parents and the allowance in that regard, we have had one increase in 21 years, and that was in 2009. That increase was €6. What does this say? We have been here before talking about pensions. We need this facet looked at immediately as well. We cannot fight a war without soldiers. I am referring to foster parents and social workers in this case. It just will not happen. Great work is done in the Department and in Tusla. We must, though, up the ante, because I am sure there are many children who should be in care but there are no homes for them to go to. My wife and I have 16 years' experience and I have not seen enough progress in that time. It has just been static. It is actually nearly going backwards. We must really take a look at this system. All the stakeholders must sit around the same table, including EPIC, Tusla, IFCA, the Ombudsman for Children and whoever else has a vested interest, and come to an immediate conclusion. Work should start on this immediately. These children have rights, and we must vindicate those rights and meet their needs. I thank the committee.