Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. He speaks for all of us when he praises foster parents and families for all the work they do. Foster care is the preferred model for the care of children in care who cannot live with their families of origin. In recognition of the importance of foster care in contributing to positive and improved outcomes for children in care, the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, made it a priority to secure a meaningful increase to the foster care allowance in this year's budget to support that vital role the Deputy discussed.

As outlined in the budget, from January next the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for those aged over 12. The foster care allowance will be further increased in November 2024 to €400 per week for children aged under 12 and €425 per week for those aged over 12. These increases mean that foster carers will receive over €1,700 additional funding per child over the course of 2024, amounting to an extra €300 per month by the end of 2024 for each child placed with them, when compared with the current allowance. In addition, the Deputy may also be aware that a double week of the foster care allowance will be paid at the existing rates to foster carers before the end of 2023. Foster carers will also benefit from a double child benefit payment in respect of each qualifying foster child, which is due to be paid before the end of the year.

The Minister has acknowledged the disappointment, which the Deputy has outlined, among foster carers that the full increase will not come into effect until November 2024. However, given the many competing demands on the limited funds of the State, including from across the Tusla budget and from other responsibilities within the remit of the Department, including disabilities, necessary compromises had to be made. In this context, it was decided that it was necessary to introduce the increases to the foster care allowance on a phased basis over next year. It was the Minister's priority to secure a significant increase to the allowance, albeit it has been at the cost of a phased implementation. It is hoped the supports contained in the budget will, over time, ease financial burdens on foster carers.

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