Ms Michele Clarke:

That may well be considered. One of the issues that Tusla has in that regard is having experienced social workers providing the out-of-hours service. That would be important because they are giving key advice. If there was a shortage of social workers volunteering, Tusla would obviously have to look at other methods.

If I may say something about aftercare, the figures show us that between 40% and 50% of young people in foster care remain living with their foster carers over time and they do not experience an abrupt change. Many come and go. When we look at residential care we have two figures. One is the figure for children in residential care and the other is the number of residential care places that are paid for. There are approximately an additional 100 cases paid for and that is because they are over 18. There is an attentiveness that on his or her 18th birthday, a young person does not leave, particularly if he or she is in education.