Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I move amendment No. 14:

In page 67, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following:

"22.—Section 45 (as amended by the Act of 2004) of the Principal Act is amended by substituting the following section for section 45—

"45.—(1) (a) Where a child leaves the care of the Health Service Executive, the Executive shall, in accordance with subsection (2), assist him or her for so long as the Executive is satisfied as to his or her need for assistance and, subject to paragraph (b), he or she has not attained the age of 21 years.

(b) Where that person attains the age of 21 years, the Executive shall continue to provide such assistance until the completion of the course of education in which he or she is engaged.

(2) (a) The Health Service Executive shall assist a person under this section in one or more of the following ways—

(i) by causing him or her to be visited or assisted;

(ii) by arranging for the completion of his or her education and by contributing towards his or her maintenance while he or she is completing his or her education;

(iii) by placing him or her in a suitable trade, calling or business and paying such fee or sum as may be requisite for that purpose;

(iv) by providing a residential aftercare programme for him or her;

(v) by co-operating with housing authorities in planning accommodation for children leaving care on reaching the age of 18 years;

(vi) by arranging for any existing or emerging health care needs to be addressed by appropriate qualified persons.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the Minister shall prescribe the manner in which aftercare may be provided.

(3) In providing assistance under this section, the Executive shall comply with any general directions given by the Minister.

(4) For the purposes of this section, the reference in subsection (1)(a) to the care of the Health Service Executive includes special care provided under Part IVA (as amended by the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011).".".

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