Emer Currie
Question:1028. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether foster carers qualify for the Christmas bonus. [39964/26]
View answerTuesday, 26 May 2026
Questions (1028)
Written answers
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, foster carers now receive a bonus payment at the start of each initial foster care placement. 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 sets out the Government’s intention to provide further support for foster carers, including further increases to the foster care allowance and the new Initial Placement Payment, a commitment to examine pension provision for foster carers, and examine eligibility for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
The Foster Care Allowance is paid directly to Foster Carers by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and is not related in any way to payments administrated by the Department of Social Protection.
A double payment of the foster care allowance was paid to foster carers at the end of 2023 and this payment was repeated at the end of 2024. These were once off measures in recognition of the significant pressures placed on families in the context of high rates of inflation, and was in line with other similar payments, including a double payment of child benefit, which foster carers also received.
The Department fully intends to prioritise children in care, as well as foster carers and ensure that we build upon the suite of supports of which foster carers can avail.