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

I want to promote the direct engagement by Tusla of foster carers. It is important we recognise Tusla's changed approach to this issue. It is in the process right now of appointing a national lead for foster care. I was surprised that was not in place but I know it is something Bernard Gloster wanted to implement and it is something Kate Duggan has implemented now. That gives a much clearer focus within the organisation, recognising that of the 5,000 or so children who are in care, 90% are in foster care. It is appropriate that there is a national lead in Tusla to support policies that can grow the number of foster carers. I have met with the Irish Foster Care Association, IFCA, board. Many of them are older now and we need to get young people involved in foster care. Like the social workers I spoke with, many of the new younger foster carers are care experienced themselves. We need to support them and I have set out a number of ways here today through which I hope to be able to support them going forward.

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