Written answers
Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Care Services
Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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650. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider, as a matter of priority, an increase in the weekly allowance paid to foster carers, which has not seen an increase since 2009, and before that, in 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24050/23]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role of foster carers in Ireland. Foster care is the preferred option for children who cannot live with their birth family. Foster carers play a vital role in enabling our most vulnerable children to live in a safe, secure and stable home environment. Approximately 90% of children in care in Ireland are being cared for by foster carers.
I am aware of the fact that the rate of the foster care allowance has not been increased since 2009 and in this context, I am very conscious of the disappointment among foster carers that no increase to the foster care allowance was secured in Budget 2023. However, I can assure the Deputy that it will be a priority of mine to seek to secure an increase to the foster care allowance in the upcoming budget.
I will continue to work closely with Tusla and with my Government colleagues and any other relevant stakeholders seeking to review and improve supports available to foster carers.
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