3051. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has undertaken an assessment of the long-term fiscal benefits associated with investment in foster care, including the potential cost savings arising from improved placement stability and reduced reliance on more expensive residential care settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59793/26]

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.

The Deputy may be aware however that demand for Tusla services is rising with over 106,000 child protection and welfare referrals in 2025, a rise of over 10% compared to 2024. Significantly, there has also been an increase of at least 500% in arrivals of Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) since 2022, resulting in significant pressure on Tusla's SCSIP service.

I would also like to highlight to the Deputy the work of the Care Experiences Programme. This Programme comprises a combination of primary research and administrative data analysis to examine and better understand the lives of children and young people in care and aftercare, adults who were in care as children, and foster carers. As part of the programme, a study on retention and attrition of foster carers was commissioned in 2024, and a report of the findings was published in July 2026, which can be found on the Department's website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/care-experiences-programme/.

I can also confirm that 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 in the Department are developing this Framework on the basis of evidence and robust consultation with stakeholders, including foster carers, their representative bodies, children, care experienced individuals, and the wider public. This Framework will set out a whole of Government plan for the future of alternative care in Ireland. It will deliver both short-term and longer term actions addressing issues in alternative care, alongside a long-term vision for how the alternative care system will operate into the future.