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

I welcome HIQA's important work on foster care services and the report prepared by the Oireachtas joint committee. I will respond to the joint committee by the end of the year. In Ireland, 92% of children living in care are in foster care placements, which is an enviable situation. This compares favourably to foster care services overseas. The most recent figures for England show that 74% of children in care were in foster placements. The figure in Northern Ireland is 80% for children who have been in care for at least 12 months. The vast majority of foster placements are stable and loving long-term arrangements in which children are nurtured and supported. By the end of last year, HIQA had inspected all foster care services. It findings show that, in general, children in foster care are safe, happy and in good health and are attending school. For 2017, HIQA has focused in more detail on specific standards, such as the checks and balances that foster care committees and senior managers should have in place to support safe and effective services. Children's experience of the service was not assessed during 2017.

This year's inspections show delays in completing formal assessments of relative carers and the lack of regular reviews of all foster carers. The need for Garda vetting for children over the age of 16 and young adults in the household has also been highlighted. There are weaknesses in how some foster care committees are informed about complaints and allegations against foster carers. I am pleased to note that HIQA has accepted Tusla’s action plans with regard to the inspection reports. I am monitoring the improvements that are being made.

The clear themes coming through are the need for better oversight, the recruitment of staff, the replenishment and broadening of foster care panels, improved supports and the supervision of foster carers. I am asking Tusla to provide me with a national strategy for the recruitment of foster carers as part of its 2018 business plan and to build on and improve the assessment of and support for foster carers. I have secured additional funding of over €40 million for Tusla to ensure the business plan can be achieved.

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