Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am also conscious of some of Ms Yiasouma's comments with regard to the multi-agency aspect. It would be great to have her back to talk about that and about the roadblocks with other agencies, particularly Tusla, which obviously comes under the same Department and under this committee. She could talk about the assessments. Many of the children who will come into her service have already been engaged with Tusla for a very long time. There are questions to ask if they are being assessed for the first time when they come to Oberstown. I say that with an eye to our colleagues from the Department. If that is the case, it raises questions as to why other services, including Tusla, are not providing those assessments or ensuring they happen. I will leave that as a comment.

Another thing I wish to pick up on is the role of independent advocacy. We had Empowering People in Care, EPIC, before the committee a few times. It supports young people in care and is also involved in providing independent advocacy. I know Ms Yiasouma mentioned an advocacy officer but I hope that can continue under her watch.

To pick up on some of the stuff we talked about with regard to people on the cusp of turning 18, Oberstown does really good work in a variety of ways including getting people ready to leave, providing assessments, often for the first time, and getting people to engage in education. There could be a not-so-young young person, a 17-year-old, with a very lengthy sentence who has to continue that sentence in an adult prison. Such prisons operate from a very different viewpoint or place, and that is being generous. A lot of the intensive work that has been done and the intensive support that has been given is just going to fall away. Given Ms. Yiasouma's experience and given her role, would she like to see young people being able to stay in Oberstown, perhaps until the age of 20 or 21? The youth courts in Germany have jurisdiction over cases involving young people until their 21st birthday. Is that something Mr. Yiasouma would like to see? Is it something Oberstown could provide to ensure the positive work that is being done does not get lost?