2859. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost of increasing foster care allowance rates by €15 or €25, or alternatively index linking it to inflation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56700/26]

Foster carers play a vital and valued role in the care of the most vulnerable children in our society. Foster care is the preferred option for children who cannot live with their family of origin, and foster carers provide a safe, secure and stable home environment for these vulnerable children and young people.

This Department has overseen record investment in foster carers, including a 21% increase to the foster care allowance over the past two years, resulting in the current weekly allowance for children in foster care of €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12.

Additionally, in 2025 a bonus payment at the start of each initial foster care placement was introduced. This payment aims to alleviate the substantial out-of-pocket expenses that can be incurred by foster carers during the initial period after a child is placed in their care.

A revised Mileage Payment Scheme for foster carers also came into effect in April 2025. This broadens the categories of journeys which may be considered eligible for payment under the Foster Care Travel Payments Scheme. Additionally, the cumulative weekly travel distance to qualify for these payments has been reduced from 300km to 250km.

The Programme for Government 2025 introduced a number of commitments relating to foster care. This included commitments to examine and develop a pension solution for foster carers, in recognition of the enormous contribution they make to vulnerable children in our society.

Additionally, work is underway within the Department on the development of a National Policy Framework for Alternative Care, which will deliver on a Programme for Government commitment to develop a national plan on alternative care. Officials of the Department are developing this Framework on the basis of evidence and robust consultation with stakeholders, care experienced individuals, and the public. The consultation process has included a number of constructive engagements with foster carers and their representative bodies.

Department officials and I will continue to listen carefully to what foster carers and their representative organisations have to say. I will continue to work closely Government colleagues regarding the progression of Programme for Government commitments to deliver for foster carers.

The table below sets out the full year cost for the two proposed increases, given the number of children in foster care placements at the end of Q1 2026.