Ms Jennifer Gargan:

There are a couple of points I would like to address. There was the question of who will do the assessments, and the agency will probably provide an answer. The aftercare worker will do the assessment but the young person cannot be referred to an aftercare worker if he or she does not have a social worker. In some instances we are aware that is the case. It is the responsibility of the social worker to develop the aftercare plan and ensure it is put in place. There is sometimes a catch-22 as one cannot get an aftercare worker without a social worker. There are waiting lists in some areas for aftercare workers, which can also be an issue. Young people have spoken to us about how they feel rushed, ill-prepared and stressed out in some cases.

A member commented that young people may be almost 18 but not know where they are to go. We deal with young people who have problems but fortunately there are many young people who do not have problems. We are only seeing people with difficulties, and that means any crisis arising must be addressed, perhaps up to the week before a youth turns 18. I could tell members about those cases all day and it is a problem. There are a few aspects of the process which must be realised, which is why we would like a clearer outline in the Bill.

Why do we want aftercare? It is part of a continuum of care and as parents, we start to prepare our children for leaving home and becoming adults from the day we teach them how to walk, dress themselves, etc. That is what every parent does. Aftercare is not an "either-or" process, as it is not a case of having good care or aftercare and we must have both. One of the critical elements of our research, outlined in the longer document submitted to the committee, is the finding that young people who have stability in care placement for the years prior to leaving care are more likely to have stability in aftercare and are more likely to do well. A person cannot go to further education, get a job or settle into anything if there is no place to live or sleep for the night. It is a crucial point. As Mr. Allen indicated, accommodation is a critical issue, particularly in Dublin, and it is really difficult for anybody to access, never mind young people without help and support. Resources must be seen within a continuum of care. Many young people may not need aftercare support but they need to be assessed because circumstances can change.

Deputy Ó Caoláin referred to employment. I do not know why I listed it first but young people coming to us aspire to being like everybody else and having a job, a home, a marriage and a family. If they do not have education they cannot get a job, and if they have disrupted placements when in care, it is more difficult for them to get the education and qualifications they need. I have had this job for nine years and I have noted a major improvement, particularly in the past few years, with the number of young people going to education and training. Unfortunately, there are still difficulties, and it may come as an unintended consequence of the available aftercare supports, as young people get more supports if they are in education. Sometimes they may be likely to choose a course that is not right and opt for any kind of a course in some cases because they need supports. They may see such action as a way to make the transition with more support. That is not a criticism but it is a fact. Employment is a key issue but education is a major factor in getting that employment.

The question was asked of why we would invest in aftercare, and others have already outlined the individual benefits. There are major benefits to our society and if we invest now, we will save later. That would be wise. There is an obligation and responsibility as a state, and it is not limited to the Child and Family Agency. Although that body has a responsibility as a corporate parent but no more than we, as parents, can provide children with education, employment and other support, it is imperative that protocols are set up as an aid. This Bill should address the process to ensure other agencies can come together in the work. Mr. McBride spoke about the aftercare committees which will have a vital role and which are already doing this very successfully. Deputy Conway gave the examples in Waterford, so not everything that is happening is bad.

There should be no qualifications regarding consultation with youths, and all young people should be engaged. If and when the children's rights amendment goes through, there will be a responsibility on the State to ensure it consults with young people in all matters affecting them.