Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's announcement that a once-off payment will be made to foster carers before the end of the year. This is welcome. It is not, however, an answer to the question I asked regarding foster carers not receiving a pay increase in 13 years. Foster carers do some of the most important yet toughest work in their own homes, day in and day out. They do not sign off at the end of the day. They take on and support children who are in the most vulnerable state. Foster carers work tirelessly to build them back up, to provide them with a stable and warm home that, most importantly, offers them love. Many foster carers are also parents and have families. They also try to work with the families of foster children to try to reunite them and to try to build bridges and repair harm. This is often harm that has come down through the generations. No child should have to be placed in foster care, but this is the reality. When it happens, when it has to happen, it is the foster carers, sometimes in the middle of the night, and with no notice, who step in to give a child a warm home, food on the table and a loving embrace. The Minister did not answer my question regarding why foster carers have not had an increase in 13 years.

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