More foster carers for older children and teenagers are needed to ensure every child gets the chance to be placed with a family, Tusla has said.
Kate Duggan, director of services and integration with the agency, said there was also a shortage of foster families in urban areas, which was largely due to homes in towns and cities being smaller.
“We do require that the child has their own room, and people may not have the physical space.”
There are currently 3,984 foster carers in the State looking after 5,265 children. Tusla said 213 people became foster carers last year, with 556 children entering the system for the first time.
‘Care and nurturing’
“We are so grateful for all the care and nurturing these foster carers do. But last year, we received a referral every 10 minutes, so we always need more,” said Ms Duggan.
Roughly 90 per cent of children who are taken into care are placed with a foster family rather than entering a residential centre, she added. “Eight per cent of all children are placed in residential care in Ireland, in the UK this is 14.6 per cent.”
‘Different backgrounds’
Ms Duggan said finding homes for older children and teenagers within their local area can be difficult, with some having to change schools or move away from friends and hobbies such as sports clubs as a result.
She encouraged anyone who had the space and time to look after a child to consider fostering.
“We want people from different backgrounds and ethnicities, single people, married people, people in same-sex relationships, living in rural or urban Ireland.”
More information about becoming a foster carer can be found at fostering.ie, by calling 1800 226 771 or emailing tusla.fostering@tusla.ie.