Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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348. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of foster parents who are eligible for the rate of €325 under the foster parent allowance scheme, by age of child, by location, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39460/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Under the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, the Child and Family Agency has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. The majority of children in care are in foster care, one third of whom are placed with relatives.

Foster care allowances are provided in order to allow foster carers meet all of the child’s daily living needs, e.g. food, clothing, school uniform, school books, extra-curricular activities, school trips, pocket money (depending on the age of the child), and treats such as toys, games or holidays. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week per child up to and including 12 years of age, and €352 per week per child over 12 years of age. The foster care allowance is tax exempt.

Information on the ages of children in care is collated on an annual bases. The following table, dated 31 December 2014, shows how many children up to and including 12 years of age are in foster care, both general and relative foster care, in each particular area.

I trust that this information is helpful to the Deputy.