TUSLA PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE COVER FOR FOSTER CARERS
IFCA has been made aware that in the transfer of responsibility of foster care from the Health Service Executive to Tusla, that the HSE’s Public Liability policy for foster carers did not transfer to Tusla.
IFCA has raised this matter with both Tusla and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs as a matter of great concern and urgency.
The Department has responded to IFCA acknowledging that it is acutely aware of IFCA’s concerns and that it is fully supportive of extending the State’s Indemnity Scheme under the State Claims Agency to foster carers. However, this provision is not yet in place.
As an interim solution, the Department has advised Tusla, that while no approval for the overall indemnification can be provided at this point in time, that both the Department and Tusla will ensure that every foster carer, can be offered an indemnity on “an individual” basis.
You can read the full letter from Catherine Bond, CEO on this and also the letter from the Department of Children & Youth Affairs here