The additional Government funding for foster care is an insult, given the huge pressures caregivers are placed under, says National's Social Services spokesman Bob Simcock.

"The amount of money the Government is offering, spread over four years, is inadequate. It equates to just $800,000 a year - not enough to deal with the current crisis in foster care.

"There is a serious shortage of foster parents, but moves to recruit more carers will fail unless they are given proper support. Many are left out of pocket, paying for specialist services and damage to their houses.

"If the Government is serious about fixing problems in foster care it needs to go right back to drawing board, and look at problems like the level of training, payment, and professional support provided to caregivers," said Mr Simcock.

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