Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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594. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she will take to address the evaluations by HIQA that have found that numerous foster care services have consistent and serious failings; and the steps she is taking to ensure that these are addressed. [50456/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I welcome HIQA's important work in relation to foster care services, and also the report prepared by the Joint Oireachtas Committee. I will respond to the Committee by year end.

We are in the enviable situation here in Ireland that 92% of children living in care are in foster care placements. This compares very favourably to foster care services overseas. The most recent figures for England show that 74% of children in care were in a foster placement and the figure for Northern Ireland is 80%, for children who were in care for at least 12 months. The vast majority of foster placements are stable, loving, long-term arrangements, where children are nurtured and supported.

By the end of last year, HIQA had inspected all foster care services. The findings showed that, in general, children in foster care were safe, happy, in good health and attending school. For 2017, HIQA focussed on specific standards in more detail. These relate to the checks and balances that Foster Care Committees, and senior managers, should have in place to support a safe and effective service. The child’s experience of the service was not assessed during 2017.

This year's inspections show delays in completing formal assessments of relative carers, and the lack of regular reviews of all foster carers. The need for Garda vetting for children over 16 and young adults in the household was also highlighted. There were weaknesses in how some Foster Care Committees are informed about complaints and allegations against foster carers. I am pleased to note that HIQA accepted Tusla’s action plans in relation to the inspection reports, and I am monitoring improvements being made.

The clear themes coming through are of the need for better oversight, recruitment of staff, the replenishment and broadening of foster care panels, improved supports and supervision of foster carers.

I am asking Tusla to provide me with a national strategy for the recruitment of foster carers as part of its 2018 business plan, and to build on and improve the assessment and support for foster carers. I have secured additional funding of over €40 million for Tusla to ensure that the business plan can be achieved.