Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1784.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider developing a scheme to recognise and cover foster placement start-up costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31655/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, Budget 2024 outlined that from January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance increased to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for those over 12. The foster care allowance will be further increased in November 2024, up to €400 per week for children aged under 12 and €425 per week for those over 12.

I am also conscious that Tusla’s Strategic Plan for Foster Care Services for Children and Young People 2022 – 2025 contains a number of commitments, which are now well developed, seeking to improve the supports foster carers can avail of.

I can advise the Deputy that continuing to improve the suite of supports available to foster carers is a priority of mine and that of my Department and as such consideration is given to any proposal which seeks to build upon those supports.

I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work closely with my Government colleagues and with relevant stakeholders, seeking to review and improve the suite of supports available to foster carers.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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1785.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost in a full year to reimburse foster carers for mileage at the current Civil Service rates, as opposed to the current method, which has an extremely high threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31656/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As this relates to data collated by Tusla, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.