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

If it is the case, as he suggests, that the rates have not been reviewed recently, it is even more important that this should be done in the context of the extensive review of the Child Care Act in which my Department is engaged. The points the Deputy has raised are timely and all of them circle around the extraordinary contribution foster carers make to the protection and care of children and to Irish society in general. All of these issues will be considered as part of the wider consultation associated with the review of the Child Care Act. I expect that consultation to include an examination of the rationale for an increase in allowance rates in the context of the increased costs facing foster carers and the additional supports they may require.

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