Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her reply and compliment her on her work to date in the portfolio. I fully agree with what she said about the standard and professionalism of all the family carers, especially those who are high support carers for very special cases. I am not suggesting in my question that there are many incidents, but there always are a few. I am talking about a case of which I know where, because of an incident, there was considerable deliberate and malicious damage done which the foster parents could not afford.

The real issue, which varies from area to area in the HSE, is that the HSE has been informing foster carers that if they tell their insurance company when they are insuring their home that they have foster children, they will get cover. That is untrue. For the foster carer in the case I am talking about, where there were two major episodes which resulted in significant damage being done and considerable trauma caused for the foster child as well as for the family and the other foster children, if that carer were to make a claim, they would have to commit fraud. They would have to make a claim fraudulently to the HSE by falsely filling out the form stating the damage was done accidentally. It it was done deliberately, they would not get cover. We all know the nuances of insurance, whether motor insurance or whatever. The insurance companies will get out of it for whatever reason.

Obviously, times have moved on. I am talking about a case that has been ongoing for years. While the Minister stated there is a dedicated agency and a dedicated Department, I look forward to it. All has not been 100%, or anything like it, in HSE area district in dealing with these issues.

Foster carers give splendid treatment to children, for the good of the children and for no financial gain. They want to do so. It is their passion and they do it professionally. Where there are incidents, however, there should be redress.

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