Mr. Mike Allen:

I thank members for their comments and questions. I am glad that the issue of eligibility was picked up on by committee members. The eligibility outlined in the legislation is a more inclusive eligibility than is set out in the guidelines. While we welcome this, we still think it should go further. I accept the points made in regard to the need to make allowances for people in exceptional need. The point in regard to children in detention is crucial.

On Deputy McLellan's question in regard to who will carry out the assessments, which will probably be responded to in more detail later by representatives of the agency, it is worth mentioning that huge progress has been made in terms of the number of young people in receipt of aftercare. One of the concerns of all of the organisations present today is the significantly increased caseload of aftercare work. When dealing with the hard to reach people or those with intensive needs, a caseload of 25 becomes a tick box exercise. We have already put our case on this issue. On why resources should be put into this area, starting from a rights-based point of view young people have a right to support. We have a deep understanding in our society about the transition from childhood to adulthood. We understand this process well. As stated by Deputy Ó Caoláin, this period of transition in a modern society is longer than it has been historically. I am loathe to make these arguments but it is necessary to say that there are financial benefits to this also, not only in terms of the people concerned being able to work and make a contribution to society but in terms of their potential cost to society if we fail them. I do not believe this is what should motivate us but as it is what motivates some people it is important to mention it.

In regard to whether the agency should put its resources into a young person who is six months old versus a young person who is 19 years old that is a difficult question to answer. Currently, there is a great deal of legislation around children. This directs resources in this area. To some extent the legislation levels that playing pitch in that it states that right through the period of transition there is a legal provision on which we need to focus. We welcome this.