Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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793. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the HSE payment per week per foster child. [17502/17]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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794. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the HSE policy for the number of children that can be fostered by one person. [17503/17]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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795. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the HSE policy allows for one person who owns and rents upwards of five properties to take in multiples of foster children in each property. [17504/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 793 to 795, inclusive, together.

Foster care is the preferred option for children who have been received into care. This can be as a result of abuse and/or neglect and their parents' inability to care for them due to a combination of difficulties in their own lives. At the end of January 2017, there were 6,323 children in care of whom over 92% (5,844) were in foster care, either with relatives or with general foster carers. There are 2 weekly rates of Foster Care Allowance - €325 for children aged 0 - 12 years and €352 for children aged 12 years and over which is paid to the foster family. 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.

I can advise the Deputy that Departmental policy which Tusla operates is in accordance with the National Standards for Foster Care. The Standards recommend that no more than two unrelated children be placed in any one foster family in recognition of the challenges involved in meeting their needs. Exceptions are made for sibling groups, where approval will be sought from the Principal Social Worker prior to placement and notification sent to the Foster Care Committee.

Prospective general foster care applicants undergo a comprehensive and rigorous assessment before they are formally approved by a Foster Care Committee and any child is placed with them. Relative foster carers may, in accordance with Regulations, have a child placed with them in an emergency, following initial checks, but before a full assessment and appraisal is carried out. Foster carers are selected on the basis of their ability to meet the needs of the individual child. Social work support is also provided for foster carers in the form of a link worker. The link worker is a professionally qualified social worker and meets regularly with foster carers to provide training, information and whatever other support that may be required.

The use of private foster placements, in approximately 6% of total foster placements, is a necessary part of ensuring that the service is available at all times and that Tusla has access to specialised placements. The private foster placements includes services for emergency placements when Gardaí have to intervene and remove a child to a place of safety. All foster care, whether recruited directly by Tusla or sourced through private sector providers, operate using the same model of care. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) carries out independent inspections of all foster care services in Ireland against the National Standards for Foster Care.

The latest figures from Tusla indicate at the end of January, 2017, there were 6,323 children in care. Of these, over 92% are in foster care, either with relatives or a general foster placement.