Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason foster carers receive greater payment per week than a child's natural parents often working against the principle of family reunification. [40362/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Child Care Act 1991, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. When a child cannot live with his or her family either on a short or long-term basis be it due to illness in the family, the death of a parent, neglect, abuse or violence in the home the HSE where possible, will place a child in foster care.

Fostering involves caring for someone else's child in one's own home and providing a family life for a child. The Foster Care Allowance is paid to foster carers for the benefit of the foster child. It is not an income or an income support. The allowance is paid in recognition of the obligations placed on foster carers to meet the needs set out in the child's statutory care plan and to meet the standards set out in the National Foster Care Standards. Foster Carers work closely with Social Workers and make themselves available to attend case conferences, meetings and training.