Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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243. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to foster care. [35071/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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At the outset, I would like to acknowledge the fact that foster carers are the backbone of our child care services. Foster care is the preferred option in Ireland for children who cannot live with their parents or guardians, and approximately 90% of our children in care are in foster care.  

There are a number of significant issues relating to foster care raised in the correspondence that has been shared by the Deputy.  These include supports for foster carers, the rate of the foster care allowance, public and private foster care provision and the retention of Tusla social work staff.

I am aware of the importance of addressing these issues.  It is vital that our foster care system operates as effectively as possible, for the foster carers and for the children in their care.  These issues deserve attention and I intend to examine them, in conjunction with Tusla and any other relevant stakeholders. 

Tusla have advised that they have recently engaged with foster carers in a consultation to inform the development of its Strategic Plan on Foster Care. I would expect that many of the issues raised in the Deputy’s query will have formed part of that consultation.  When the Strategic Plan on Foster Care is finalised by Tusla, it will then be considered by my Department and the issues raised in the correspondence can be addressed in that context.