Ryan Report
Press Statement
The Irish Foster Care Association (IFCA) welcomes the plans to implement the recommendations of the Ryan report.
We particularly welcome the commitment for each child in care to have a dedicated social worker, thus ensuring that each child in care has a care plan. Too many foster parents are caring for children without adequate resources or supports to do so.
Many foster parents continue to care for their foster children long after they have reached their 18th birthday on their own. IFCA welcomes the provision of an after care service to young people leaving the care system until the age of 21. However we believe that an opportunity has been lost on not putting this on a statutory footing.
The long awaited comprehensive out of hours service is delayed further, however if the day service is working effectively and efficiently it will go some way to providing a better day time social work service. Many foster carers are on their own caring, for very vulnerable children from 5.00 pm on Fridays to 9.00am on Monday morning with access only to a very limited emergency service. Our children deserve more.
Assessment of the many waiting relative foster carers is also to be commended.
The strengthening of the child protection services putting Children First guidelines on a limited statutory basis is commendable.
However, in failing to address the area of family support and early intervention to help prevent these issues arising in the first place, is another example of locking the door after the horse has bolted.
IFCA commend the Minister for Children for giving his personal commitment to the implementation of the recommendations.
Deirdre Mc Teigue
Director of Services
Irish Foster Care Association
Mayfield Terrace
Ballinteer
Dublin 16
01 296 1083
29th July 2009