Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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976. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps foster parents can take if they require information in relation to their work as a foster parent in view of the fact they are of the view they cannot contact their local office; if they can contact the head office in Dublin; if so, the person responsible for dealing with such queries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54342/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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If a foster carer does not have an allocated link social worker they should, in the first instance, make contact with their local foster care team leader or the duty team. Should the response or support needed be insufficient the foster carers may contact the principal social worker responsible for foster care. The line managers for the area including the the area and regional regional managers may also be contacted and their details are available on the Tusla website.

A foster carer may also direct queries to the Chief Operations Officer in Tusla, Mr Jim Gibson. Mr Gibson is based in the national office in Dublin and contact details for his office are available at www.tusla.ie/get-in-touch/management-team/.

Tusla is in the process of developing a 24 hr help line for foster carers, which will be phased in in 2019.

The Irish Foster Care Association provides a National Support Helpline, which offers callers information and support. Details for accessing the helpline are available on.