Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is an issue where, with a bit of common sense and goodwill, we can make a difference to people's lives. Someone like Kirsty today can legitimately claim jobseeker's allowance because she has no full-time employment. She is in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and the State pays that in recognition of the fact that she has no means. The foster care allowance is not a payment to provide an income support to the parent; it is to provide for the costs of fostering the child in recognition of the work that has to be done.

Rather than forcing people like Kirsty to claim jobseeker's allowance and to have to be in potential conflict with their Intreo worker or Seetec adviser, we should acknowledge that there are a small number of single-parent households who are foster parents, and in the same way as any other household that is a single-parent family, allow them to access the one-parent family payment or, crucially, a transitional jobseeker's allowance. Kirsty would love to work part time if she could get it, but the work has to fit around her caring responsibilities for her nine-year-old and her 15-year-old foster child. Transitional jobseeker's allowance, therefore, is eminently more sensible. This is not about the State saying these people are not deserving of an income support. They are already getting jobseeker's allowance, but that income support does not suit their specific needs as foster parents.

I welcome the Minister's commitment to considering the issue. If she takes it in the spirit I propose, this is simply about allowing people to do what they do very well, without being in conflict with one or other section of our social welfare, or care, system.

My understanding is there is a severe need for more foster parents. There may be people who, because of circumstances, could take up that role on a short, medium or long-term basis. This could also assist Tusla and another arm of Government to ensure that some of the most vulnerable children in society will get the start in life they so much deserve. I look forward to engaging with the Minister on this into the future.

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