Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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2340. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of foster carers regarding the need to increase access to therapeutic supports for children in care, through expanded and fully resourced Tusla therapeutic hubs; the actions she will take to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41776/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is required under the Child and Family Agency Act (2013) to support and promote the welfare and protection of children; to support and encourage the effective functioning of families; and to provide services relating to the psychological welfare of children and their families (excluding the provision of specialist mental health services for children).

Tusla has committed to a strategic approach seeking to deliver an integrated framework for therapeutic services as part of a three-year plan to establish the high-level framework and operating model for Tusla Therapeutic Services. As part of this plan Tusla has established multi-disciplinary teams across six service areas by recruiting Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists to work with existing therapeutic staff such as psychologists.

Tusla has advised that the focus of these teams is on the early identification of therapeutic needs of children on admission to care, including children to be placed in foster care, which will inform their care plan. Tusla has also advised that the teams in the six service areas are now nearly at full strength. I am also aware that it is an aim of Tusla that 100% of new children or young people coming into State care in the six areas where Therapeutic Teams have been funded will have multidisciplinary input into their care planning.

Tusla this year set out a specific action within its 2025 Business Plan to enhance the provision of its therapeutic services at regional level in line with its reform programme, with €2.38m in expenditure planned for this purpose.

Budget 2025 saw record investment in Tusla's overall budget, with a 14% increase, amounting to an additional €145m, allocated to the Agency. Any additional funding requirements in respect of Tusla’s services in the upcoming estimates process, and for Budget 2026 will be given due consideration by officials in my Department.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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2341. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of foster carers regarding pension security for foster carers; the actions she will take to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41777/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is an area of genuine concern for foster carers.

The Programme for Government 2025 contains a commitment to develop a pension solution for foster carers in recognition of the enormous contribution they make to vulnerable children in our society, and to acknowledge their long-term commitment and to ensure that they are supported and valued after their fostering years.

Eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is a matter which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection. The Department of Social Protection has in place a number of schemes for family carers that may already be of benefit to foster carers where they meet the criteria, in the same way as any parent.

The Young Ireland National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023 – 2028 also includes an action in respect of State pension eligibility for foster carers. Action 41.2 commits the Department of Social Protection to: “Consider the credits available to foster carers for periods of time spent caring with a view to supporting eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) and also include foster carers within the proposed changes to attribute contributions for periods of long-term care (over 20 years) when caring for an incapacitated dependent.”

I will work closely with Minister Calleary and Government colleagues, to progress effort to improve pension provision for foster carers.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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2342. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of foster carers regarding the back to school allowance; if she will consider removing the means testing requirement for foster families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41778/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the recent announcement of the extension of eligibility for the Back to School Allowance to encompass foster carers. This measure is an important step in the Government’s commitment to providing further support to children in foster care. Payment of the Allowance falls wholly under the remit of the Department of Social Protection, and is aimed at helping families with the extra costs of clothing and footwear while attending school.

While I understand that there may be some concern among foster carers that the Allowance will be based on household income, I would note that the foster care allowance is disregarded for the purposes of this Allowance.

I would also like to point to other measures taken forward by my Department, including the increases to the foster care allowance last year to €400 per week for under 12s, and €425 per week for over 12s, while an initial placement payment, and improved travel payments scheme, have also been introduced this year.

I can further advise that I have met with a number of foster care stakeholder bodies since becoming Minister for Children, including the Irish Foster Care Association, and I am aware of the current challenges facing the sector. As Minister I fully intend to prioritise foster care and ensure that we build upon the suite of supports of which foster carers can avail.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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2343. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of foster carers regarding the rate payable under the foster care allowance; if she is conscious of the need to support foster carers in the context of rising costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41779/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has overseen a significant increase in investment in foster care supports, including in relation to the foster care allowance, which was increased to €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12 in 2024. These increases mean that foster carers received over €1,700 additional funding per child over the course of 2024. In 2025, this means that foster carers receive an additional €3,900 in allowances, depending on the age of the child in their care.

The 2025 Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, includes a commitment to increase the Foster Care Allowance, as well as the recently-introduced Initial Placement Payment, over the lifetime of this Government. Improving supports available to foster carers is a priority for me and I will work closely with colleagues across Government to ensure that we build upon the suite of supports available to foster carers.