Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost per annum to the Exchequer of raising the social welfare pension by 1% of average industrial earnings. [11315/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent information on earnings available from the Central Statistics Office relates to September 2005. This shows that, at that time, average industrial earnings were €579.32 per week. The cost of raising the social welfare pension for all those over 65 years by 1% of this figure is estimated at €124 million per annum. The maximum rate of the old age contributory pension is at present €193.30 per week which equates to over 33% of average industrial earnings as of September 2005.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will ensure that grandparents looking after their grandchildren on a permanent basis get the same recognition and financial support as foster parents. [11207/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The primary objective of the orphan's payments administered by my Department is to provide income support in respect of children whose parents are deceased or who are unable and have failed to provide for them.

The weekly rate of payment is €138. This is a substantially higher rate of payment compared with other payments made by my Department in respect of children. Foster carers, on the other hand, operate within a very specific framework and the foster care allowance is intended not only to provide income support but to recompense foster carers for the expense incurred in looking after a child who would otherwise be in institutional care. Foster carers are therefore subject to rigorous scrutiny and ongoing monitoring by the health boards, and the children in their care are subject to a care plan.

The foster care allowance paid by the health boards is paid at a rate of €305 per week, per child under 12 years of age, and €332 per week, per child of 12 years and over. The two payment systems have, in my view, significantly different objectives and I do not consider that there is a case for standardising payments in this area.