The fostering sector will be getting an allocation of €400,000 but the government has yet to specify how these will be spent.

One of the options can be to provide professional services to assist foster parents deal with the most challenging behaviour of children.

“This is the beginning of significant changes which will be implemented in the coming years in the field of residential services for children and young people spurred by evolving realities,” Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said.

Foster parents last year saw their allowance raised to €70 from €40 per week and the eligibility rose to cover children up to 21.

Mr Fenech said the measure should be read in the light of last year’s increases to finance entities taking care of children with difficulties.

On Sunday, Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat accused the government of slowing down the process of issuing care orders because of lack of available accommodation.

A lack of vacancies is a continuous problem for the government, which, however, prefers to invest in putting such children in family environments, through fostering.