Ms Laura Dunleavy:

This points to the legal issue. People who are kinship caring due to the loss of a parent where there has been bereavement can apply for guardianship from the time they step into the role. Otherwise, they have to wait 12 months. This has an implication for the child's access to health services, whether it is a dentist appointment or to get an antibiotic or, more significantly, with regard to mental health illness. We have spoken to children who were not able to access supports from CAMHS or Pieta House when they were suicidal and had experienced overdoses. This was due to the issue regarding parental consent. Because there is no social worker involved, they go round in circles, and it could take two weeks before they get access through a social work department overriding it. This is the lived reality for at least 12 months for kinship carers, who are an estimated 80% of our callers.

When we look at the impact of adverse childhood experiences we know, and the evidence is there, that it can lead to a higher prevalence of the need to access physical health supports and mental health supports. We know the impact it has on children if we do not intervene early and wrap around, scaffold and support them to come through the trauma. We would love to see the same prioritisation and supports as are available to children in formal care.

We recognise these adverse childhood experiences exist. From the cold perspective of the financial return on investment, we know that if we intervene early and support a child, it comes back to us. This comes down to the medical element and the prioritisation for assessments and therapeutic supports. We speak to families where there has been significant trauma, in particular in cases of domestic homicide where the perpetrator serving a prison sentence holds guardianship consent for that child to access therapeutic supports. This is with regard to Valerie's law. At every step of kinship care we look at, there is a hurdle and a closed door. With regard to going on into adulthood and SUSI, this is an issue for the Department of higher education. We have given the committee a little briefing on each Department because this issue intersects so many areas. I thank Deputy Sherlock for the question.