Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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149. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures her Department is taking to recruit and support more foster families considering the severe shortage of both residential and foster care placements are impacting on children in need (details supplied). [7894/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Tusla has advised that its Strategic Plan for Foster Care Services is at an advanced stage of implementation, and it has included a wide range of measures to both recruit new foster carers and to improve supports for existing foster carers.

In July 2023 Tusla recruited a National Lead for Foster Care to lead on the implementation of the Strategic Plan. In December 2023 Tusla began the process of establishing a National Fostering Recruitment team to support its strategic approach to national and regional recruitment of foster carers. Tusla has advised that this team has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of the need for foster carers, including a strategic social media campaign and revitalisation of foster care information sessions. Over 130 online and in-person foster care information sessions were held over the course of 2024. In addition, a project co-funded by the Department of Children, Equality and Disability and Tusla raises awareness of the need for foster carers from the Traveller and Roma community across Ireland.

The first Fostering Awareness Month was launched at Bloom 2024 where Tusla’s garden, created in collaboration with foster carers, won the People’s Choice award. A fostering Awareness Month will also be held in 2025.

Tusla has also advised that a review of its recruitment and marketing activity was completed by an external marketing consultant in December 2024. Tusla National Fostering Recruitment and Tusla Communications are currently reviewing the outcome of this with a view to future planning.

In relation to improving foster carer retention Tusla has advised that it has undertaken many innovative and important measures including launching an online Information Hub for foster carers, creating a Tusla Staff and Foster Carer Charter, launching a foster care peer support pilot, and developing supports for children from families who foster.

My Department has overseen a significant increase in investment in foster care supports, including in relation to the foster care allowance, which has been increased to €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12. In 2025, this means that foster carers will receive an additional €3,900 in allowances. A double week of the foster care allowance was also paid to foster carers, in respect of each child in their care, in late 2024.

In addition, Budget 2025 set out further investment and support towards children in foster care, including funding which will be used to provide an Initial Placement Payment at the beginning of each initial foster care placement from 2025. Provision has also been made for additional mileage support for foster carers who have significant travel responsibilities for children in their care.

The Programme for Government 2025 sets out the Government’s intention to provide further support for foster carers, including further increases to the foster care allowance and the new Initial Placement Payment, a commitment to examine pension provision for foster carers, and examine eligibility for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.