Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The question of young adults receiving after-care has been a sensitive issue in that there were claims that there was not any real interest in looking after children once they had passed that age and become young adults. I would like to think the State at a minimum should have a real interest in seeing that somebody who leaves State care gets continued assistance and help in life. The children first Bill, where a number of these policy issues that Deputy Finian McGrath correctly mentions are under consideration, will be dealt with by the Minister for children here.

It is a difficult position, when one speaks to one of these young people who has left State care and finds himself or herself lonely, isolated and seemingly without help. We must change that. That is an area on which the new Minister will focus.

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