Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the work of EPIC and organisations like it. We are supporting them. In terms of our statutory and legal responsibilities relating to children in care and in aftercare, I have been informed by Tusla that 18 aftercare managers will be recruited. Each manager will manage one of the 18 teams across the country. The composition of each team will be based on Tusla's analysis of the requirements of the area. For example, it may be appropriate, particularly in rural areas, to retain the social worker allocated when the young person was in care on the aftercare team. I know Tusla has given aftercare a high priority in respect of its business plan, which I have requested. Among the plans to improve outcomes in the area are the implementation of the national aftercare policy through area-based dedicated aftercare teams, as well as the continued roll out of a inter-agency aftercare steering committee in all areas, which will be there to work with and in collaboration with the groups identified by the Deputy.

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