On January 1, 2009, the foster carer allowance was increased again. Foster carers get a weekly allowance. This payment is to cover the basic needs of the child under their care. The foster care allowance currently stands at EUR325 for children under 12 year olds and EUR352 weekly for children 12 and over. The foster care allowance is paid for the child. It's provided to foster carers to cover all the child’s daily living expenses, such as food, clothing and education costs. The allowance is not intended to be used as a means for social assistance purposes and is exempt from tax.
Tusla has the ability to offer additional financial support to foster carers through either enhanced or additional payments.
Additional payments refers any payment made by a foster carer to exceed the standard rate fostering allowance. Additional payments may be made for children or teenagers who have extra needs beyond what is covered by the standardised Fostering Allowance. Additional payments can only ever be made for children who have additional educational or medical requirements and after authorization has been received by the Tusla Administrator. Additional payment applications must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
If the child has a more long-term financial need for support, foster carers can receive enhanced allowances. If the child is aged between 0-18, the weekly allowance will be doubled. This applies to children with severe special needs who need high-quality supervision and personal care. An enhanced allowance is available to foster carers to help them care for children with additional special needs.
The foster care allowance is meant to be used by the foster parent to meet their daily expenses. Any enhanced allowance must be supported by the assessing professional social worker.
After submitting supporting documentation and a thorough assessment of the child’s needs, the Principal Social Worker must approve the request for enhanced support. An approved request for enhanced supports must include a review of the arrangement for the enhanced allocation.
Foster carers also receive the foster care allowance. However, they are given a variety of targeted support to ensure that they remain a respected and valued part in the alternative care system. A link social worker, support group meetings and training are some of the key elements of this support. Every child in foster care is assigned a social specialist. If they have a care plan for the children, respite care may be possible.
Foster carers must undergo pre-assessment, ongoing training and certification in order for them to provide high quality care. Tusla addresses individual training requirements for relatives who are foster caregivers, taking into account the particular dynamics of these relationships and the personal nature. Tusla also supports the Irish Foster Care Association. It offers a range support services for foster carers, including advocacy and mediation as well as training and advice.
Tusla supports carers by providing foster care allowances when they care for children with significant additional needs.
Tusla informed that they have just held a meeting with foster carers. Foster carers pointed out that the foster-care allowance must be reviewed in light the inflation and rises in social welfare benefits. Tusla has been working on a paper regarding this issue.
Officials in the Department monitor the rate at which the foster care allowance is calculated and, as such, no plans are made to increase it. The Department is undergoing a thorough review of 1991's Child Care Act. This review will include an examination of foster care arrangements.