Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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1461. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review the allowances paid to foster persons particularly those paid for foster children over 18 years of age that remain in full-time care of the foster persons and require as much if not more care than younger children but receive a lower rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36438/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Foster Care Allowance is currently €325 per week per child under 12 years of age and €352 per week per child aged 12 and over. It is an allowance in respect of the child and is provided in order to allow foster carers to meet all of the child's daily living needs including food, clothing, basic travel, education costs and hobbies and sporting activities. The allowance is not considered as means for Social Welfare purposes nor is it taxable. There is no intention to increase the rate of the Foster Care Allowance at this time.

In response to the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015, Tusla has introduced a number of new practices. These include the standardisation of financial supports and planning offered to eligible young people leaving care. This weekly standardised allowance ensures equality for all care leavers engaged in training and education.

Each care leaver as part of their leaving and aftercare planning will have an Individual Financial Support Plan. This is a standardised tool to assist in identifying all the financial supports required by, and available to, each young person. It is important to note that young people leaving care typically receive supports relating to accommodation, further education, employment and training, which are funded by other Government Departments. This means that the part of Tusla’s expenditure related to aftercare supports and services represents one constituent element of the total spending by the State on those in receipt of aftercare services.

It is expected that each young person eligible for aftercare and engaged in education or training will have access to an income of a minimum allowance of €300 per week. The €300 may be a combined amount from other departments/ agencies or may be paid in full or partly by Tusla.

Where a young adult is in education or training at 18 years of age and remains in their former care placement, the aftercare allowance is payable to the foster carer(s) or supported lodgings provider. Where a young adult continues with education / training and is in independent living, the aftercare allowance is payable directly to the young adult. Tusla informs me that aspects of the provision of standardised aftercare payments are under review.