Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I would certainly be happy to engage with the joint committee on this issue. We can continue to be reasonably proud as country that when children are taken into care, 89% of them go to foster care rather than residential. That is a strong proportion compared to other European countries. We want to avoid any child going into care but where it is necessary, it is good that it is in a family home and, as the Deputy said, it is foster care by relatives. We need to support those foster carers. Having engaged and spoken with IFCA - I will meet another group soon - I know it does not feel sufficiently supported. I outlined at the IFCA conference the steps taken by the Government and my Department to do more, including my engagement with other colleagues. The Tusla plan puts a clear roadmap forward for how we can better support foster parents. As I said, I am happy to engage with the joint committee and hear what the Deputy has heard regarding what steps we can take.

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