Seanad debates

Thursday, 8 May 2003

National Standards for Foster Care: Statements.

 

10:30 am

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Foster care is the main form of alternative care provided by health boards for children in need of care and protection who cannot remain in their own homes. Over 4,500 children are currently in the care of the health boards, of whom approximately 4,000 are in foster care. These figures show the critical importance of the foster care services in our child protection and welfare service. Families and family life are very important to all children and the opportunity to experience the qualities of family life is one of the main objectives of the national children's strategy. For those children who cannot be looked after in their own families and need to be provided with alternative care, foster care provides the best way to experience family life. The challenge for us is to provide an appropriate response for the children of this vulnerable group. This response must respect their rights to a childhood in a secure family environment in order that they may fulfil their potential in adulthood.

The importance the Government attaches to foster care was underlined by the publication in 2001 of the report of the working group on foster care, Foster Care: A Child-Centred Partnership. The report points the way forward to strengthening and developing the service and provides the guidelines to improve standards in foster care.

This report noted that the foster care allowance was not adequate to meet the needs of children in foster care and it recommended that the allowance be increased. In August 2001 the allowance was substantially increased, alleviating the need for foster parents to apply to health boards for every extra financial need of their foster child or children. Before August 2001 the allowance was €90.85 per week for a child under 12 years and €108.88 per week for a child of 12 years and over. The current rates of payment are €281.50 and €308.50 per week respectively.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.