Relatives who foster through Tusla, often grandparents, get the same allowance as general foster carers. If you're caring for a relative's child informally, see kinship care and Guardian's Payment instead.
Quick facts
- Under 12
- €400 a week per child
- 12 and over
- €425 a week per child
- Taxed
- No
- Means tests
- Not counted
- Also
- Medical card for the child, insurance, training
- After 18
- Aftercare Allowance while in education
How much
"The Foster Care Allowance payable for children in foster care placements in 2025 is as follows:" "Under 12 years €400 per child 12 years and over €425 per child". Your Tusla social worker confirms the current rate when a child is placed with you.
"Foster care allowances from Tusla are not taken into account in the means test for social welfare payments and are not taxable."
What else you get
- A medical card for the child
- Training, insurance and your own link social worker
- "Since 17 June 2025, if you are getting the Foster Care Allowance, you can apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for each foster child."
- Child Benefit, after the child has lived with you for 6 months
Child Benefit
Child Benefit can stay with the child's parent for the first 6 months of a placement. "Payment may then transfer to the foster parent(s) provided that the child has been in their continuous care for a period of 6 months."
Long-term placements and after 18
"If foster parents, including relative foster parents, have been caring for a child for a continuous period of at least 5 years, they may apply to the court for an order." It gives you broadly the rights of a parent for decisions like medical consent and passports.
At 18, a young person still in education or training can get the Aftercare Allowance until 21, and sometimes longer.
Becoming a foster carer
"Any person or family can apply to Tusla to be assessed as a foster parent or foster family." Single, married, renting, retired, unemployed or with a disability: all can foster. Assessment takes months, with Garda vetting and training. Contact the Tusla fostering service, or the Irish Foster Care Association for support.
Common questions
How much is the Foster Care Allowance in Ireland?
Citizens Information lists €400 a week for a child under 12 and €425 for a child 12 and over, from its 2025 table. Tusla confirms the current rate.
Is the Foster Care Allowance taxable?
No. Foster care allowances from Tusla are not taxable.
Does the Foster Care Allowance affect my social welfare?
No. It is not taken into account in the means test for social welfare payments.
Do foster carers get Child Benefit?
Yes, once the child has been in your continuous care for 6 months.
Can I get Guardian's Payment and Foster Care Allowance?
No. You cannot get Guardian's Payment and a Foster Care Allowance together.