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Pictured at the lunch were, at back, Mairead White, Social Worker, Tusla Kerry; Peter Commerford, foster carer, Margaret Enright, Principal Social Worker, Tusla Kerry; Freda Fitzgerald, Social Worker, Tusla Kerry; John Lenihan, foster carer. Front Row from left: foster carers, Kathleen Kelliher, Eileen Commerford, Joan Mulvihill, Hannah Lennihan. Photo: Domnick Walsh
TUSLA – Child and Family Agency hosted foster carers and their families who have given years of their lives to help children and young people in care for lunch in The Rose Hotel, Tralee on Monday.
The large crowd was entertained by a balloon modeller, a face painter and a special visit from Santa.
The lunch was held to thank foster carers and supported lodgings providers across the county for the invaluable care they provide daily to support children and young people, but also to provide them with the opportunity to meet and connect with other carers.
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Several local services and companies including The Rose Hotel, Aldi Ireland, Horan’s Health Food Store Tralee, Dunnes Stores North Circular Rd. Tralee, Lee Strand, Corrib Oil Abbeydorney, Kingdom Food & Wine Store, Urban Sanctuary Tralee, O’Connor’s Circle K Rathass provided spot prizes for the raffle to show their support for the important work foster carers do in our community.
Tusla staff and foster carers at the Tusla foster care appreciation lunch in The Rose Hotel, Tralee. Photo: Domnick Walsh
Tusla’s fostering service relies on families and individuals in our community who are willing to share their homes and lives with children and young people whose parents are unable to care for them, and to work with a range of professionals to support the children in their care. Currently, there are 163 children in foster care in Kerry and 84 families who foster.
Margaret Enright, Principal Social Worker, Tusla Kerry said’ “The event was about thanking foster families for their daily commitment to providing a secure, inclusive and safe family environment to children who require it within their own county.
“It was wonderful to see the care, love and support provided to our children in care in action today whilst families enjoyed lunch, face painting, balloon modelling and of course a visit from Santa himself. We wish all our foster families and those in their care the very best in 2024.”
Catherine, Tusla foster carer from Kerry, said: “The foster carer appreciation lunch was a brilliant way to finish up 2023. We were able to come together, foster carers, kiddies and the Tusla staff we’ve worked with throughout the year and celebrate our year of caring.”
“It was lovely to see the retired foster carers be appreciated for their years of dedication to the children and to see all the little ones playing together and enjoying their Santa visit.”
Tusla hold regular online information sessions for anyone interested in becoming a foster carer. To register or to find out more information about fostering, visit fostering.ie, call freephone 1800 226 771 or email tusla.fostering@tusla.ie.
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