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

The Deputy asked this question in the context of the Young Ireland: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People strategy that was recently published. It was launched by my Department on 21 November this year. This new policy framework covers the period 2023 to 2028 and envisages an Ireland which fully respects the rights of children and young people. Young Ireland was informed by consultation with children, young people, professionals and parents, as well as recent data and evidence about the issues facing children and young people, including children in foster care.

The framework sets out key actions for Government across a range of issues affecting children and young people.

Three key actions in the national framework relate to alternative care, including foster care. These are: action 40, services for children and young people in care and aftercare; action 41, financial support for foster care; and action 42, innovation in care and aftercare. Action 41.3 relates to raising the basic rates of the foster care allowance. It was a priority of mine to secure a meaningful increase to the allowance in order to support the vital work being carried out by foster carers.

As outlined in budget 2024, there will be a €75 increase for children aged zero to 12 and a €73 increase in the €353 rate for children aged 12 and over. This increase will take place over two phases, a €25 increase from 1 January 2024 and the remaining increase to be paid from 1 November. These increases mean that foster carers will receive over €1,700 in additional funding per child over the course of 2024. This means that in 2025 foster carers will receive an additional €3,900 over the course of the full year.

The framework sets out an ambitious roadmap for actions for children, including those in foster care. I look forward to working constructively and effectively with Tusla and my colleagues, including the Minister for Social Protection, on the actions contained within the national framework, which will continue to improve the range of supports available for children in foster care and the foster carers who support them.

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