Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I take the point the Deputy is making. We have a much better understanding of the after care needs of our young people who have been in care. It is important they are addressed and a proper assessment is done in each case. Financial resources come in to play as young people get older, as well as whether the service can sustain the kind of support suggested by the Deputy. I take the point that we need to have the most supportive services available to young people who have been in care because we know they are a very vulnerable group.

As I said, there is a particular issue in regard to separated children seeking asylum. They transfer to the adult services operated by the Department of Justice and Equality. That can be very disruptive to those young people, whether they are in a secondary school or third level education. Perhaps it is an issue that Deputy could take up with the Minister for Justice and Equality and he and I could examine it.

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