The Minister informed the committee that he would be coming forward with a supplementary appropriation to deal with an increase in the number of children in foster care. Members, along with the Minister, are concerned that the department cannot readily identify the reason for the significant increase in the number of children in foster care.

The Minister agreed with the committee that we had to establish the reason for the increase in the number of children going into foster care and develop a response to the strain on the system. The department is conducting a review of the cases and will be providing the committee with their finding once the analysis is completed.

Members were also concerned that there were disparities in the rates paid to foster care parents between the different communities. This is a concern that has been brought to MLAs by constituents. The department has agreed to do a better job in communicating the rationalization for the differences in foster care payments to foster parents.