Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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567. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will order a review of the foster care committee to ensure its procedures are in line with HIQA guidelines. [9152/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The National Foster Care Committee, Policy, Procedures and Best Practice Guidance was developed in 2012 and reviewed and updated in 2017. It was written to reflect the requirements of the National Standards for Foster Care, 2003.

The document sets out:

- Policy and procedures for the operation of Foster Care Committees nationally.

- Policy, best practice guidance and information for social workers and others whose duty it is to prepare and submit documentation to Foster Care Committee.

The National Foster Care Committee Policy, Procedures and Best Practice Guidance is due for review in 2022 and it is anticipated that this review will commence in Q3/ Q4 2022.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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568. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will reform the foster care review programme whereby Tusla requires foster carers to pay for their own medical examination. [9153/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Tusla have confirmed that they are currently reviewing the Foster Care Review process. As part of the consultation process the matter of costs for medical examinations has arisen.

Tusla have advised that new guidance in respect of foster care will ensure that all foster carers subject to a medical examination will be reimbursed their expenses or their expenses will be paid by Tusla. Tusla anticipate that this work will be completed by Q2 2022.

As an interim measure and pending the completion of this review, Tusla have advised that the costs of medical examinations for foster carers are to be reimbursed.