Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I support the Fine Gael amendment. I acknowledge the essential and hard work of the Irish Foster Care Association and of foster carers who are often the unsung heroes in our society. After all, they volunteer their time and energy and that of their families, and they are giving. The word "foster" implies love and care and we must always acknowledge that those carers are willing to provide this service and give their love and care to others.

Families who open their homes to care for these vulnerable children must also be acknowledged. The children would not need foster care if they had not been through a traumatic period in their lives. I refer to my family experience. I am the youngest of five and I am proud that my parents fostered children when I was only aged one or two. They built a life-long relationship with one of the children and it is wonderful and beautiful to see that the child, who is now a parent, acknowledges herself as one of our family. I have witnessed the love that passed from a family that was willing to give to a family that needed love and care at an important time in their lives.

I was contacted by foster parents last year regarding the child benefit issue. In October 2007 legislation was introduced which provided that where a child is in foster care continuously for six months, the child benefit will only then be paid to the foster parents for the benefit of the child. However, there are concerns because the payment is still made to the parents of the child for that initial six-month period but the child does not benefit whatsoever. Some people feel the payment should be put in a trust for the future benefit of the child for his or her education or a service he or she might need because the foster parents do not want it. Will the Minister of State clarify the position?

I refer to the lack of services for children with mental health difficulties who have been traumatised during their lives. There are delays in their assessment and treatment and it is essential that the Government addresses this issue and devotes resources and support to these services. It is not good enough that children who have suffered at the most vulnerable time in their lives must go on waiting lists to access essential services, such as counselling, special education support, psychology and social work. Children in those circumstances need the support of the State because they are vulnerable and they have been isolated. The State should stand by them. Their foster parents will stand by them because they have made that sacrifice. We must, therefore, look to the State to support them in that essential work.

I support the amendment in which Fine Gael calls on the Government to work with professionals to address their concerns at gaps in child protection and the provision of services, to ensure the implementation of the Children First principles across the country in a uniform manner and to act upon the concern of organisations at the front line of providing care for vulnerable children and put in place dedicated after care services to enable these children to reach their potential. As Senator Norris said, we cannot afford to leave children in isolation without support when they leave foster care. I am happy to commend the amendment to the House.