Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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135. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a poverty impact assessment was carried out on the Government’s decision to allow for rents to be reset to market rates between tenancies; if provision will be made for increasing rent supplement in line with the increase in rents that will arise from this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33027/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Housing Assistance Payment scheme and the Rental Accommodation scheme, administered by the local authorities, are now by far the largest schemes providing rental supports.

Policy relating to the Housing Assistance Payment, including a review in the rent limits are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Furthermore, the policy in respect of the the recently announced reforms to the rental sector are also a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

However, my Department operates a flexible policy on a case-by-case basis that allows for higher Rent Supplement payments in certain circumstances.

Additional Needs Payments are also available to assist those who have essential expenses, such as rent deposits, rent in advance and household bills, that they cannot pay from their weekly income.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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136. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will ensure that improved supports will be provided for foster carers, in view of the issues raised by a representative organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33137/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is very conscious of the important role of foster carers in our society. Support for foster carers is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Department for Children, Disability and Equality, and Tusla.The Foster Care Allowance is paid by Tusla. In 2025 it is paid at rate of €400 per week for children aged under 12 and €425 per week for children aged 12 and over. The payment is not means tested and it is paid in respect of each foster child.My Department provides a comprehensive package of income supports covering a range of contingencies such as disability, caring and job seeking. Foster carers may qualify for these income supports, as long as they meet the eligibility conditions. Where a foster carer is in receipt of a primary payment from my Department they may be eligible for a Child Support Payment in respect of any foster child in their care.It is important to note too that, the Foster Care Allowance is not assessed as means for any social welfare payments provided by my department.Where a child is placed into care, the qualified parent, usually the child’s mother, retains the Child Benefit payment for six months thereafter. After six months in continuous care, the Child Benefit for the child may be paid to the foster carer. This is in order to preserve the birth parent’s entitlement where the child is placed in short-term foster care.I know pensions are another issue of concern to foster carers. The current State Pension Contributory system provides measures including PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate. Foster carers are entitled to the benefits of the Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods, and they may also be entitled to long-term carer’s contributions where they meet the criteria and 20-year threshold.Officials from my Department have met with Foster Carer Representatives and provided detailed explanations on the State pension system and the related contributions and the options open to them.In the Programme for Government we committed to examining the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers. We have done that and I am really pleased that children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance this year, once they meet the qualifying conditions for the payment. This is something that representative groups have been calling for. It is estimated that up to 2,300 children, for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid, will now qualify for the payment. Applications for this scheme are now open until 30 September.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.