Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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391. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied with the adequacy of the fostering allowance; his views on whether the allowance must be increased and index-linked; if he plans to review the allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59803/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The foster care allowance was last increased on January 1st 2009, and there is no plan currently to increase this. Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. It is paid in respect of the child and 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 sports activities. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax.

Tusla pay an enhanced rate of the foster care payment where specific criteria around the additional needs of the child are met.

In addition to the foster care allowance, foster carers receive a number of targeted supports to ensure they continue to function as a recognised and valued part of the alternative care system. Key elements of this support include a link social worker, access to training and support group meetings and the allocation of a social worker for each child in care. Respite care for children may be arranged if it is part of their care plan.

Pre-assessment and ongoing training are compulsory for foster carers in order to equip them with the skills and knowledge to provide high quality care. Recognising the specific dynamics and the personal nature of relative care, Tusla addresses the training needs of relatives who are foster carers separately. In addition, Tusla provides funding for the Irish Foster Care Association which offers a range of supports to carers, including advocacy, mediation, training and a telephone advice service.

The foster care allowance is one element of the support that Tusla provides to carers when they offer a home and care to children some of whom may have additional, and sometimes significant, needs.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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392. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if specific payments or allowances are paid to foster families who provide care for a child with additional needs in order to assist in defraying additional costs that might be associated with supporting a child with certain conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59805/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The legislative basis for payments to foster parents is set out in the Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995. Article 14 of the Regulations stipulate that the allowance payable to foster carers shall not be less than an amount stipulated by the Minister.

Presently foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. It is paid in respect of the child and 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 sports activities.

There are two ways in which additional financial support can be provided to foster carers, namely additional and enhanced payments.

Additional payments refers to any payment made to a foster carer that exceeds the standard rate of the fostering allowance. Such additional payments may be made in respect of children or young people who have additional needs that are not covered by the standardised fostering allowance. Additional payments can only be made where a child has additional medical or educational needs and when authorisation has been received from the Tusla Area Manager. Each application for an additional payment will be accompanied by supporting documentation evidencing the need.

Enhanced allowances for foster carers can be made when a longer term financial need is identified for additional supports for the child. A maximum of twice the weekly allowance may be paid in respect of children aged between 0-18 years if they require significant care over and above the needs of other children in foster care. This includes children who have been diagnosed with significant special needs and require a high level of personal care and supervision. The purpose of considering an enhanced allowance in these cases is to support foster carers in providing care to these children who have additional needs. The foster care allowance is in respect of and for the benefit of the foster childand therefore must be used to meet the day to day costs associated with looking after the foster child and therefore in considering any enhanced allowance there exists a requirement for the assessing social worker to evidence that the standard fostering allowance does not adequately provide for the cost of caring for the child.

A request for enhanced supports must certified by the Principal Social Worker and approved by the Area Manager following submission of an assessment of the child’s needs and supporting documentation. A review arrangement for the enhanced allowance must be part of the submission for approval.