Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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808. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when respite will be restored in the case of the son of a person (details supplied), whose respite has been continuously cancelled over the summer months; the plan of action in their case going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39517/23]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As the query refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Thank you for sharing the correspondence you received in respect of the foster care system and the issues your correspondent has highlighted.

In respect of the current rate of the foster care allowance, I am conscious that this payment was last increased in 2009 and I am aware of the disappointment among foster carers that no increase to the foster care allowance was secured in Budget 2023. I can assure the Deputy that it is a priority of mine to seek to secure an increase to the foster care allowance in the upcoming budget.

In relation to travel expenses incurred by foster carers, I am aware that some foster carers can incur significant costs in relation to travel when they are facilitating access or medical visits for foster children. I can advise the Deputy that my officials and I are engaging with Tusla in respect of seeking to improve the financial support foster carers can avail of when they incur such expenses.

Further, I am also aware of issues raised by foster carers in respect of supports which fall under the remit of the Department of Social Protection. These include the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and the issue of State Pension contributions for foster carers. I have spoken about these matters with the Minister for Social Protection and engagement between our Departments on this issue is ongoing.

In the upcoming Budget and in the future, I will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders, including colleagues in Government and representative organisations, seeking to review and improve the suite of supports foster carers can avail of.