Child Benefit
A new regulation has recently been made in relation to Foster Parents and the payment of Child Benefit. This regulation was amended with effect from October 2007.
This regulation provides that "where a qualified child has been placed in foster care, or with a relative by the Health Service Executive under Section 36 of the Child Care Act 1991 (No. 17 of 1991), and has been in such care for a continuous period of 6 months he or she shall, on the first day of the following month or the first day of the 6th month following the first day of October 2007, which ever is the later, be regarded as normally residing with the woman who has care and charge of him or her in the household of which he or she is normally a member".
Foster Parents should be advised that due to a revision of procedures the position now is as follows:
- Where a child is placed in voluntary care and the mother has not abandoned or deserted the child and is contributing to the child's support, Child Benefit may continue to be paid to the mother for the first 6 months that the child is in foster care and transferred to the foster mother from the 7th month.
- Where a child is placed in voluntary care and the birth mother is not contributing to the child's support, Child Benefit is paid to the foster mother from the month after the child was placed with them.
- Where a child is placed in care subject to a court order, Child Benefit is paid to the foster mother from the month after the child was placed with them.
Foster parents are advised to submit their Child Benefit claim immediatly after a child is placed in their care.