John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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541. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on the suggestion that foster carers should be granted some acknowledgement under the social welfare benefit system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19661/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Foster care allowances are payable by the Child and Family Agency, Túsla, which falls under the remit of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. However, it is the case that my Department provides a number of supports for foster carers subject to satisfying the usual conditions for receipt of these payments. These include:

- Monthly child benefit in respect of the foster child,

- A weekly increase - €29.80 - for a qualified child (which can include a foster child) where the foster parent or his or her spouse/partner is in receipt of a weekly income support from my Department and

- Family Income Supplement where the foster child is a qualified child for the purposes of the scheme and the foster family qualify for a payment.

In addition, social welfare legislation provides that foster care allowances paid by Túsla are not taken into account in assessing the means of any weekly social assistance payments.

I also understand that Foster Care Allowances are not liable to income tax.

I hope that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.