A Laois County Cllr has called on Roderic O’Gorman TD, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability and Youth, and Heather Humphries TD Minister for Social Protection to put measures in place to provide a full contributory pension to foster parents.
The call came from Independent Cllr Aisling Moran, who said foster parents provide an invaluable place in their homes for the most vulnerable in our society, and the state should recognise their contribution.”
5,615 children were in care at the end of December 2023 according to a Tusla Service Performance and Activity Report.
This data does not include children under the Service for Separated Children Seeking International Protection.
90% (5,034) of these children are cared for in foster care (3,560 general foster care, and 1,474 relative foster).
“The willingness of ordinary families to offer a child who needs care in a stable and loving family environment cannot be underestimated,” Cllr Moran said.
“Referrals to Tusla have risen incrementally in the last number of year’s.
“The foster carer role within Ireland is a volunteer role. Foster carers are not employees and accordingly Tusla does not make pension contributions on their behalf.”
The foster care allowance is in respect of and for the benefit of the child in foster care. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax.
“The allowance is one element of the support provided by Tusla to foster carers when they provide a home and care to children who may have additional and sometimes significant vulnerabilities,” Cllr Moran said.
“Recognition of the role of foster carers for children in state care is currently not adequately considered in the Social Welfare system, particularly in relation to state pension contributions.
“Currently the investment in time and care by foster carers does not trigger contributions towards the state contributory pension for the full duration of care provision leaving foster carers at risk of poverty in their later years while performing an essential service to the state.
“This is not an equitable or sustainable situation if the state wishes to continue to leverage alternative home care for children in the future.
“Where a foster carer remains on the Tusla approval panel of foster carers, and remains available for receiving a child into foster care, they should continue to be included for state contributory pension’s contributions purposes for the entire period of being on the approved panel.
“This will facilitate retention of foster carers between placements, ensure a sustainable pipeline of foster carers, and encourage the return of foster carers to provide the vital care they provide to our state’s most vulnerable children.
“Foster families require support and recognition for the role that they undertake on behalf of the State, to enable them provide for the care needs of children in care who are placed with them.”
Fianna Fáil Cllr John Joe Fennelly supported the call, saying foster carers are “being left behind,” and that they “should be entitled to a pension.”
Independent Cllr James Kelly also supported the motion, saying he hopes the Departments “will not come back with the same two-line response as always: ‘We’ll look into it and get back to you.'”
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