Ms June Tinsley:

I have some further comments and my colleagues have already answered the question of why we must invest in aftercare. There are benefits for the individuals and also the wider society, with proven savings to the Exchequer in return for the support. I concur with Deputy Troy in that now is the time to ensure we get the legislation right. Significant progress has been made and we must ensure it is kept on track. Aligned to this is the matter I raised earlier and which other Deputies referred to, which is eligibility. We do not want this process to be restrictive, with the possibility that very vulnerable young people could slip through the net and make an unsuccessful transition to adulthood. That is already happening and we want to close the loophole so that individuals can be captured; those who are hard to reach must be engaged.

The other component to the success of this Bill will be the need for interagency co-operation to guarantee the plan's implementation. The Bill must be strengthened in this regard as there is not enough emphasis on the successful implementation of a plan. Our key concern is that in 20 years we could be faced with another child death review report because other individuals would have been failed. Now is our chance to ensure that does not happen.