Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

For foster care to work, we must at all times have panels of carers. This reason alone means that recruitment is constant and ongoing. I appeal to anyone with an interest in caring for children to visit the Tusla website, www.tusla.ie. The foster care section is well laid out. It provides answers for many questions, including the nature of foster care, the diverse group of people who can become carers, how to apply, as well as videos of children, parents and a social worker. I am sure Deputies on all sides of the House will join me in paying tribute to those who do come forward. The reason recruitment is constant is we need as diverse a group of carers as possible because children themselves are a diverse group. We also need both long-term and short-term carers.

The criteria for assessing suitability to become a carer are based on a person's willingness and ability to care appropriately for a vulnerable child. An assessment is carried out, irrespective of nationality, race, religion, sexual identity, marital status, disability status or whether someone is already a parent. Latest figures show there are 4,816 foster carers providing care for 5,834 children.

Most Tusla teams have sufficient numbers, but achieving the diversity I outlined can be challenging. It is for that reason that recruitment is constant.

I am also happy that the outcomes for children in foster care here are much praised by professional colleagues abroad, especially in terms of school completion, stability, family centred care and progress in third level education.

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