I referred to the argument of the previous Government, anticipating how the Minister might respond. She is taking exactly the same position as her predecessor, the former Minister of State, Barry Andrews. He argued there was strong legal advice stating that the provision of aftercare is non-discretionary and must be provided when a care professional judges there is a need. The argument is that "may" means "shall". I wish it did but it does not, all too sadly, and because of that there is a need for a statutory requirement on the care services and the State to ensure young people in State care, on attaining their 18th year, are not left on their own facing the prospect of homelessness and facing, as some sadly have, the woes that come from an oftentimes all too short life engaging in drug misuse, crime and serious antisocial behaviour.

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