Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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579. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason emergency foster parents in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance are expected to be available for work when the demands of their fostering position preclude them from using a childminder in view of the fact that this anomaly is affecting many foster parents within the Tusla system in which paid allowances are to be used for the child only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24357/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for the question. As you know, matters in relation to eligibility for state income support schemes, including jobseekers allowance, and relevant qualifying criteria, are a matter for the Department of Social Protection.

Tusla have informed me that the assessment of any foster carer must consider the foster carers expected availability to meet and support the needs of a child who has come into care. The assessment and approval process explores what type of care the prospective foster carer can best offer to a child depending on factors such as accommodation, the age of any children in their home, the carers availability and their experience.

Tusla does have working foster carers, but the main consideration will be the availability of potential foster carers to meet the child’s needs. For some children it will be necessary for one carer to be at home full-time.

It might also be noted that the foster care allowances payable by Tusla are not taken into account in means testing for social welfare purposes, nor are such allowances subject to tax. The allowance is one element of the support that Tusla provides to carers when they offer a home and care to children who have additional, and sometimes significant, vulnerabilities.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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580. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of foster parents and emergency foster parents that have resigned their positions in the past three years; the stated reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24358/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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581. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently awaiting fostering and emergency fostering; the length of time they have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24359/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.