Foster Carers 4 Change

Movement For Change In Fostercare is a collective of Foster Carers in Ireland who are advocating for the children we love and care for

[email protected]

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

Welcome to all of our new followers! Who are we? We're a group of foster carers who've formed this #grassrootsmovement to improve #fostercare in Ireland for foster carers, children in care and #careexperienced young people. We're passionate about positive change 💪 Please RT ❤️

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

@rachael_mo80289 @GarNob @ClaireKerrane @mattcarthy @MarkWall1 @peadartoibin It shouldn’t be one or the other. Children need safe emergency care and proper placements now, but foster carers also need proper recognition, supports, and pension security.

A system that relies on carers to hold everything together while delaying both is failing everyone.

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

After last night’s RTÉ Prime Time:
“Each of those situations are repeated many times” @GarNob

We are recycling crises instead of fixing the causes

Give foster carers pension recognition & real supports
@ClaireKerrane @mattcarthy @RuiariOMurchu @MarkWall1 @peadartoibin

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

@NormaFoleyTD1 @tusla @OCO_ireland @caoilfhionnanna @barryokellyrte @ClaireKerrane @BarryHeneghan2 @Aidan_Farrelly_ @ChildRightsIRL

[Linda Keller @lowli6]

When a CEO uses RTÉ Investigates as recruitment marketing, it’s a leadership choice, a poor one.

Agencies should clearly state they are for-profit and that Tusla is the statutory pathway. Families deserve transparency, not crisis-driven messaging.

https://t.co/NmbP0jWQs5

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

Minister @NormaFoleyTD

If “each of those situations are repeated many times”, then the system isn’t improving.

Are foster carer numbers actually increasing in real terms?

When will pension recognition be addressed?

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

Children removed from severe neglect don’t just “recover”—they need years of stability, care and skill. Foster carers provide that, often at huge personal cost.

We ask a lot of fostering and overlook their pension @NormaFoleyTD1
@tusla @daracalleary
https://t.co/qpDeOWkk8X

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

Welcome news!
https://t.co/qqlNDELibS
Credit to Tusla for listening, and thanks to carers, TDs & the minister.
A strong example of the kind of therapeutic support children in care need across the country. @tusla @NormaFoleyTD1 @CathCallaghanTD @thejournal_ie

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

With significant frontline experience, Foster carers will be watching closely to see whether new leadership treats carers as true partners in the care system — not simply a resource it depends on. @tusla @NormaFoleyTD1

https://t.co/M0n32c3xvG

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

“When women thrive, economies grow,” says Paschal.

Yet when he was Minister for Finance, foster carers (majority women) were left without pension protection, after decades caring for the State’s most vulnerable children.

Pension justice is what matters. #InternationalWomensDay

[Paschal Donohoe @Paschald]

When women thrive, economies grow — through more jobs, innovation, and productivity.

Expanding women's full economic participation is fundamental to shared prosperity.

An important message this #InternationalWomensDay

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

This issue isn’t new. Foster carers in S Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow were informed in Jan that the St Bernard’s Therapeutic Foster Care Support Team will be withdrawn in March. Carers have united in calling 4 reinstatement.
https://t.co/LB0h7mFSho @NormaFoleyTD1 @thejournal_ie

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

Foster carers in S Tipp, Carlow & Kilkenny spoke out against Tusla withdrawing St Bernard’s therapeutic fostering support, highlighting its vital role 4 children with trauma & attachment needs. TDs & IFCA backing carers @CathCallaghanTD @JMcGuinnessTD @NormaFoleyTD1 @KateDuggan8

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

Today’s RTÉ Radio 1 foster care segment featured only carers from Fostering First Ireland — owned by Key Assets Group, a for-profit agency. Listeners weren’t told. RTÉ should disclose this and provide balance. #Transparency @RTERadio1
https://t.co/agis6b6RUn

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

St. Bernard’s isn’t just a local issue

If specialist therapeutic fostering models can be closed citing “low uptake” — where access was controlled and training unpaid

what does that mean nationally 4 children in care?

Continuity matters

@NormaFoleyTD1 @Tusla
@CathCallaghanTD

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

Tusla calls for cross-department support for children in care. Free travel should be automatic — a practical step to back kids and foster families. @tusla @welfare_ie @DeptCDE

[Department of Social Protection @welfare_ie]

From 1 March 2026, to use Free Travel you need an in-date Free Travel Public Services Card

Renew or apply at www.MyWelfare or a PSC centre.

Allow 10 days for delivery.

For more information please visit https://t.co/VNSqGRbpr0

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

Foster care isn’t a “job,” yet carers in Ireland have no pension, no voice, no legal cover, and funding bogged down in bureaucracy. Reform means real pay, not more admin. @ArleneHarris11

[NUPFC @nupfc]

Calling foster care “not a job” while pushing “reform” has devastated carers nationwide. Anger is boiling over, morale is collapsing, and recruitment & retention will suffer. Language matters.
https://t.co/T6OKgWkPdy

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

@GarNob A child missing from care highlights the difference in approach: residential settings use supervision and protocol; foster carers work through trust and connection. Should professional foster care play a stronger role?

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

@caoilfhionnanna St Bernard’s Fostering Support has provided over a decade of specialist therapeutic work 4 children in care. Ending it abruptly & shifting responsibilities onto carers undermines continuity of care. What safeguards are in place 4 children mid‑therapeutic program?

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

If you remove trained specialists and call peer support a replacement, the only real change is that children get less.
Foster carers are not therapists — children in care need continuity and professional support.
@1calmvoice @JackWhiteJ @IrishTimes @NormaFoleyTD1 @KateDuggan8

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

Tusla’s letter to foster carers highlights a deeper problem: consultation after decisions are made, and specialist work shifted onto carers. Children & carers are left to fill gaps trained professionals once handled. This is why trust is breaking down @tusla @DeptCDE @1calmvoice

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

If you remove trained specialists and call peer support a replacement, the only real change is that children get less.
Foster carers are not therapists — children in care need continuity and professional support.
@1calmvoice @JackWhiteJ @IrishTimes @NormaFoleyTD1 @KateDuggan8

[Linda Keller @lowli6]

When a carer speaks about paying privately, Tusla’s reaction is a public contradiction. Lived experience dismissed, policy gaps exposed. @JoshCrosbie3 @m4cif

”Examining the services provided by the Child and Family Agency https://t.co/X7J9eruyos via @NewstalkFM

[Foster Carers 4 Change @m4cif]

In the UK private equity is extracting huge sums from foster services — here, private agencies cost Tusla €58,000 per child per year versus €17k when Tusla places directly, all carers stuck on the same low allowance. We need to ask who benefits? https://t.co/N55TGfJprW