Foster Care in Ireland: Understanding the Diverse Types of Foster Placements

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The current foster care allowance is EUR325 per child under 12 years, and EUR352 for children aged 12 years or more. It is paid to the child in the name of the foster child. It is provided to help foster carers meet the child's basic needs such as food, clothing, travel costs, education costs, hobbies, and other activities. The allowance is not taxed and is not considered a means of social welfare

When a foster child’s financial needs are more serious, enhanced allowances can be granted to foster carers. Children aged between 0-18 may have a maximum weekly allowance of double. This is if the child requires significant care that goes beyond the needs of the other foster children.

Children with severe special needs may be eligible. They will need a high degree of personal care and supervision. These children may be eligible for an enhanced allowance to assist foster carers in caring for them.

Emergency placements

Occasionally, a child or young person will need somewhere to stay at a moment’s notice. This can be for a number of reasons and may only last for a few nights.

Short term placements

Short term placements can last for anything from days to weeks or even months. Short term placements can be made for a variety of purposes, such as for the completion of an assessment.

Our short term placements benefit from the same excellent support services as our standard placements.

Long term placements



Long term placements are suitable for children who need permanent foster care and involve caring for a young person until they can live independently at the age of 18 years. These children or young people cannot return to live in their own home but will often still keep in regular contact with their birth family.

Respite placements

Sometimes children need to stay with a different foster family to give their permanent carers a break. These are regular placements and usually last for a weekend, one week or a fortnight at the most.

Parent and child placements

Could you provide support, guidance and a safe environment for young people in State care who are pregnant or have a baby? Parent and child placements involve foster carers supporting young mothers and/or fathers to develop their parenting skills. We provide additional training for foster carers who offer this type of placement.

The foster care allowance is intended to cover various costs associated with fostering, including:

• Food
• Clothing and footwear
• Educational needs (such as grinds, uniforms, books, etc.)
• Personal care items and toiletries
• Hobbies and activities
• Games, treats, and toys
• Holidays and summer camps
• Pocket money
• Special occasions (such as birthdays and Christmas)
• Presents for the birth family of foster children
• Transport (for school, access trips, and appointments)
• Household costs