Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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82. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will report on the social welfare supports available to young people leaving State care, who may be at risk of experiencing homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21565/25]

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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According to the Simon Community, the number of people aged 18 to 24 experiencing homelessness is approaching 1,800. This represents an 8% increase over the past year. Some of the most vulnerable and those most at risk of experiencing homelessness are young people leaving State care. This cohort of young people often leave care without a support network. They have also experienced trauma in their lives and we know homelessness is a very traumatic experience. Ensuring that the State is there to support them is vital. Will the Minister outline the financial supports available to these young people, in particular to prevent them from becoming homeless in the first instance?

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The staff in my Department are acutely aware of the challenges faced by young people who leave care and are available to them to assist with the provision of social protection income and employment supports. The Department's staff engage with a range of stakeholders and advocacy groups working with vulnerable people. For instance in Dublin, staff engage with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and in the local network of children and young people's services committees as part of the process of co-ordinating the delivery of supports to vulnerable people, including the group the Deputy has referred to, those leaving care. There is legislative provision that age-related reduced jobseeker’s allowance rates do not apply to young jobseekers who were in the care of Tusla for any period during the 12 months immediately before their 18th birthday. The full standard rate of personal jobseeker’s allowance of €244 per week is payable in these circumstances.

With regard to the specific issue mentioned by the Deputy, we operate a person-focused national protocol in conjunction with other agencies to help those who are homeless. Importantly, a person does not need a permanent address to apply for a social protection payment or service or to receive a social welfare payment. Where necessary, short-term rent supplement can be paid by my Department. This scheme provides financial support to people living in private rented accommodation whose means cannot meet their accommodation costs and where accommodation is not available to them from any other source. That could include somebody leaving care on their 18th birthday. Also, additional needs payments are available to assist those who have essential expenses such as rent deposits, rent in advance and household bills that they cannot pay from their weekly income. This full range of supports is available to young people leaving care. We work in conjunction not just with the statutory authorities but with advocacy groups as well to address this. I am more than open to suggestions as to how we tighten this up.

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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I am aware from consultation with the Simon Community that young people leaving the care system are often not aware of the supports the Minister has outlined which are available to them. I ask the Minister to ensure information about housing and homelessness services, and social protection supports are made available in schools, local communities and youth services.

Another issue I would like to raise is the collection of data. Currently, Tusla does not provide any distinction in its data about where young people find themselves after leaving State care following their 18th birthday. We just have one crude figure to cover young people who end up in a variety of settings such as in hospital, prison, homeless services and mental health or disability services. If we are to establish how best to help young people when they leave care, it is essential that we know precisely where they end up. I would be grateful if the Minister could respond on this, in particular the gathering of information and bringing it together to ensure that these young people who are so vulnerable are not falling through the cracks.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Tusla has a duty under section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 to make a decision whether each person leaving care has a need for assistance and then to provide services in accordance with the legislation, subject to the resources. On reaching the age of 18, a young person is deemed to have left State care. Young people who have a care history with Tusla are entitled to an aftercare service based on their eligibility and assessed needs. The assessment considers a number of factors, including the young person's educational and accommodation needs. If deemed necessary, Tusla will provide financial support to eligible care leavers who are engaged in a qualifying educational course or training programme. That aftercare allowance amounts to €300 per week. It is dependent on the eligible young adult attending an accredited education course, a third level course or a training programme as outlined in their own aftercare plan. The allowance is provided to cover a young adult's day-to-day costs, including accommodation, as they progress in their chosen course or training programme. I will come back in the next round on the question relating to information.

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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Those are the main issues we wanted to raise today. I thank the Minister.