23 Apr 2025

Minister Foley announces revised Mileage Payment Scheme for Foster Carers

Improved mileage scheme will benefit Foster Carers who incur additional travel expenses as a result of their fostering responsibilities

The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has today announced the roll out of an improved Mileage Payment Scheme for Foster Carers.

The revised scheme represents a broadening of the categories of journeys which may be considered eligible for payment under the new Foster Care Travel Payments Scheme.

For example, this can include educational events, educational extra curricular classes, training, additional medical and therapeutic appointments and access visits in respect of the foster child. These journeys will be linked to child’s care plan.

The weekly cumulative weekly travel distance to qualify for the enhanced allowance has also been reduced from 300km to 250km.

This enhancement to the Mileage Payment Scheme aligns with commitments under the Programme for Government on improving the suite of supports available to foster carers, and builds on the range of improvements ushered in under the previous Government.

Minister Foley said:

“I am pleased to confirm the introduction of a new and improved Mileage Payment Scheme for Foster Carers. This is an important step in improving the range of supports available to foster carers, acknowledging the significant value that the State places on foster care.

Following on from the investment in foster care in recent years, I want to provide assurances that this Government will continue to invest in foster care, and I intend to fulfil this Department’s commitments set out in the Programme for Government.”

Contact Information

Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth .
press.office@equality.gov.ie

Notes to editors

The Mileage Payment Scheme for Foster Carers is operated by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, who have statutory responsibility for the delivery of foster care in the State under the Child Care Act 1991.

Foster care has been a key priority for Government in recent years, and the previous Government committed to improving the suite of supports available to foster carers.

Tusla’s National Policy states that “The fostering allowance is expected to cover travel to school, medical appointments, access, etc.”

However, the mileage payment scheme is in place to cover instances where foster parents incur additional travel expenses as a result of their fostering responsibilities

There has been significant engagement on a new revised Mileage Payment Scheme for Foster Carers which will now include:

A reduction in the weekly cumulative weekly travel from 300km to 250km required to qualify for the enhanced allowance.A broadening of the categories of journeys which may be considered for payment under the new Foster Care Travel Payments Scheme.

Additionally, DCEDIY has also overseen the following improved supports for foster carers;

The significance increase to the foster care allowance in 2024, which has been increased to €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12. In 2025, this means that foster carers will receive an additional €3,900 in allowances.

A double week of the foster care allowance paid to foster carers, in respect of each child in their care, in late 2024.

Funding which will be used to provide an Initial Placement Payment at the beginning of each initial foster care placement from 2025.