Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have received representations from the Irish Network of Foster Carers regarding the Aftercare Bill. A number of questions were posed to me which I will pose to the Minister. I will respectfully take his answers on board. First, why were the people taking care of 93% of children not involved in scrutinising the provisions of the general scheme of the Bill? How can the Child and Family Agency implement its new aftercare policy before the concerns of foster carers have been addressed? The network pointed out that there are not enough staff members to provide an assigned link worker to support foster families, as per the national standards. It stated that the front-line staff who are available are dealing with unrealistic case loads which are impeding the service they provide.

The network is concerned about the morale of staff in the Child and Family Agency who are under pressure. The members of the network said there is a serious lack of professional supports needed by the children in their care. Does the Minister agree with the concerns expressed by foster carers that the Child and Family Agency aftercare policy will lead to children they have cared for being put in positions of danger?

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