Senator Sarah O’Reilly has described means testing for foster parents for the back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance as “mean and retrograde” and has urged the Government “to immediately ensure that it is paid to for all children in foster care, irrespective of their foster family’s income or financial circumstances”.
That’s according to Aontú’s Sarah O’Reilly who raised the issue in the Seanad and is meeting with representatives of foster families this week.
Last week, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary announced that the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility is being extended to include children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid. The allowance is means tested.
Senator O’Reilly said that means testing the allowance highlighted a “fundamental misunderstanding” of the role of a foster family – and the state’s role to ensure that children in foster care are protected and cared for.
“This allowance is being paraded by the Government as a new support for foster children, but it’s been more than disappointing for families to learn that it will be means tested,” she said.
“This practice of awarding support to foster children based on their foster parents’ personal financial circumstances highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of a foster family. Children and young people in care should not be made to qualify for support through income thresholds. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure they are protected and cared for.”
“This is a crucially important point. The Irish state has an irrevocable responsibility for vulnerable children in its care. Tragically, the system has failed many of these children, Aontú has been relentless in bring this scandal to light. ”
She said that “some of these children have gone missing or been murdered while in the supposed sanctuary of state care. This stark reality underscores a pattern of neglect that treats vulnerable individuals with disheartening disregard, failing to ensure their safety, well-being and inherent dignity.”
“These deep systemic failures demand immediate attention and reform as well as accountability,” she added.” very child entrusted to the care of the state deserves not only protection but also the opportunity to thrive, free from harm and marginalization. Anything less is a grievous abdication of duty.”
The Aontú Senator said there was an “absolute crisis in the home foster care sector at the moment”.
“People are leaving and are not being replaced, and new people are not coming on board. This is an issue of huge national importance and this mean-spirited decision on back-to-school allowances by the Government will do absolutely nothing to encourage more people to consider opening their hearts and homes to vulnerable children,” she said.
“Let’s be clear; foster parents don’t foster for the money. The money is for the child in the home and for his or her needs. Foster parents are incredibly important. They play such a vital role in supporting, loving, encouraging and sheltering vulnerable children.”
“They do it largely because they care, they’re open and giving and they want to provide a safe and secure home for children who desperately need it.”
“Foster parents don’t get pensions, they don’t get sick pay and foster parents by their very nature are generous and will always go above and beyond for the children in their care, almost always at their own expense.”
“The money their receive for the children’s needs is not exactly overly generous in the first place and given the cost-of-living crisis we’re living through, coupled with the very serious fact that Tusla cannot replace the many foster parents who are leaving, it is particularly retrograde.”
“I am urging the Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary to reconsider this and ensure there is fairness and equity across the sector,” she said. “I am determined to fight for the Foster Care parents and ensure their voices are heard and that they are not taken for granted”.
The Department of Social Protection said that the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
“This Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including foster carers, play and remains fully committed to supporting them. Children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid are now eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance under the same qualifying conditions as all other parents.”
“To qualify for Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, an applicant must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions, one of which requires the applicant’s household income to be within the relevant income limits.”
The Department said that the Weekly Household Income Limits for 2025 are:
| No. of Children | Income Limit |
| 1 child | €694.00 |
| 2 children | €756.00 |
| 3 children | €818.00 |
| 4 children* | €880.00 |
*Limit is increased by €62 for each additional child
“Matters relating to foster care is the responsibility of the Department for Children, Disability and Equality, which has overseen a significant increase in investment in foster care supports, including a 21% increase to the rates of the foster care allowance. The rates have been increased to €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12. In 2025, this means that foster carers will receive an additional €3,900 in allowances,” the Department said.
“In addition, Budget 2025 set out further investment and support towards children in foster care, including funding which will be used to provide an Initial Placement Payment at the beginning of each initial foster care placement from 2025. Provision has also been made for additional mileage support for foster carers who have significant travel responsibilities for children in their care.”
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