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

Foster care is the preferred method of care for children in care who cannot live with their families of origin. As we know, foster care provides a safe, secure and stable home environment for some of our most vulnerable children. Tusla's assessment of any foster carer must consider the foster carer's expected availability to meet and support the needs of the child who has come into his or her care. The assessment and approval process explores what type of care the prospective foster carer can best offer to a child depending on factors such as accommodation, the age of the child in their home and the carer's availability and experience. Tusla does consider working foster carers but the main consideration will be their availability to meet the child's needs and for some children it may be necessary for one carer to be at home full time.

Foster carers are not employees of Tusla and the foster care allowance is payable to foster carers on behalf of and to offset the expenses that exist that are related to the child in foster care. The allowance is not considered as a means for social welfare purposes. It is not subject to tax. The allowance is in recognition of the vital and valued role foster carers play in the care of the most vulnerable children in our society. The allowance is one element of the supports given to foster carers but it is important to note we were able to significantly increase that allowance in January and will do so again in November of this year.

As my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, has outlined previously the Department of Social Protection has a number of schemes in place that may be of benefit to foster carers. Foster carers are entitled to the benefits of PRSI credits, home making disregards and home caring periods when they meet the criteria in the same way as any parent. I have been advised that under these schemes if a foster carer is a recipient of child benefit or the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla he or she can register for caring periods for each child under the age of 12. In the case of a child who is over 12 years of age caring periods can be registered where the child requires continuous supervision and regular assistance throughout the day with the activities of daily living. The maximum caring period available is 20 years and I encourage foster carers who believe they may be entitled to the benefits provided under these schemes to so apply.

See this speech in context