126. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline measures to encourage greater numbers into fostering. [65731/26]

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. This means that foster carers now receive between €20,800 and €22,100 per year for each child in their care, depending on the age of the child.

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.

In 2025, I attended the launch of the IFCA's Strategic Plan, and separately met with the CEO of the IFCA to discuss issues impacting on foster carers. In March this year, I was delighted to provide a message for the IFCA's Focus on Foster Care week, thanking foster carers for all the dedication and support they provide to the children and young people in their care. In July this year I met with the CEO and Chair of the IFCA to discuss their pre-Budget submission, and to hear the perspective of foster carers on what the Government can do to support them in the future.

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 along with a commitment to increase the rates of the foster care allowance within the lifetime of this Government.

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, including the IFCA. In December 2025, officials attended the IFCA's Fostering Insights webinar to provide information to IFCA members about the National Policy Framework for Alternative Care and what it will mean for foster carers.

In August of this year, officials met with members of the IFCA to allow for an opportunity to capture their asks into the consultation process associated with the development of the Framework.

I will continue to work closely Government colleagues regarding the progression of Programme for Government commitments to deliver for foster carers.