Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I wish to make three brief points and am glad the Minister of State adverted to the Ryan report and also spoke of the implementation plan. However, the Minister of State will be aware that specific reference is made in the Ryan report to the vulnerability of young people in the transitional period from State care to independent living, which highlighted a real and serious problem. The Minister of State stated that under the implementation plan, a sum of money was allocated. Why not take the opportunity now to enshrine the commitment of which the Minister of State speaks in legislation and ensure there will be a mandatory level of after care for future reference?

My second point pertains to Question No. 251 of 19 October 2010 tabled in the name of my colleague, Deputy Timmins, on the matter of after care. In a written reply, the Minister of State stated that the Irish Association of Young People in Care, IAYPIC, is currently funded to provide a national after care service. However, this is not correct because the aforementioned body, which engages in good and positive work, only has a remit for the Dublin north-east region. Consequently, it simply is insufficient to suggest that a single after care worker has national responsibility or a national remit and the record should be put right in this regard.

My final point reverts to the initial point I made, which I must stress in the short time available, and which pertains to the current after care services throughout the State. Members present represent different parts of the country and they all know and share a common awareness of the problems in this area regarding the vulnerability of young persons moving from care to independent living because of the haphazard nature and lack of uniformity in the services. The only way in which this can be met adequately is by taking on board the letter and spirit of these amendments.

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