Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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671. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will increase the foster care allowance payment rates to meet the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24355/23]

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.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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672. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the budget for children's residential services for CHO5 for the past five years; if he will outline the new children's residential units provided over the past five years; the budget available to CHO5 for new residential services; if the opening of new residential services will impact on the respite services budget for CHO5; the number of new residential services required to meet current demand in CHO5, in Tipperary in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24365/23]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As this relates to service matters , I am referring it to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.