Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I arranged for the Irish Foster Care Association to meet with Deputies from Donegal the week before the budget to allow them to explain in detail the reasoning and need for the funding asked in its pre-budget submission and to get a better idea of the service foster parents give to the State. I am sure those who attended will concur with the challenges laid out in very stark terms by board members, namely, Mr. Raymond Nolan, Dr. Helen Gogarty and CEO, Ms Catherine Bond. Primarily, they asked for an increase in the foster care allowance for the first time since 2009. In the context of that, these parents save the State money because residential care costs are 20 times higher. It is a minuscule ask.

However, to understand it fully, the Taoiseach needs to hear it first-hand. We are all very good in here at saying we understand issues that we only have a cursory knowledge of. I promise the Taoiseach that if he sits with these people for half an hour, he will gain true perspective. They would like to meet with him as well. Will he give a commitment to meet with representatives of the Irish Foster Care Association before the passage of the finance Bill?

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