Ciarán Cannon (Fine Gael)

I second the amendment and support everything Senator White said. The general thrust of the legislation is to allow the HSE in many instances to act in loco parentis for a child who is in such a vulnerable and weak position that he or she must be taken into special care. One hopes the same love and care one would give to one's own children would be given by the HSE to these children. No one would argue that a parent whose child reaches the age of 18 years somehow feels his or her life's work is done in caring for him or her and that he or she can now simply send him or her out into a difficult and often chaotic environment. However, that is exactly what happens to children in the care of the State.

I recall listening to an interview with one such child who is now a young adult. He recalled being in a special care centre and how at lunchtime on his 18th birthday a birthday cake had been produced for him. The others staying in the centre and the staff had gathered around and wished him well on his 18th birthday. That evening he was given his clothes and told he had to leave. No provision was made for what he should do the next day or in the following week or months. That treatment is simply unacceptable. I believe the Minister of State has good intentions. While I am not sure if we must address this issue in the context of this legislation or in the overarching general legislation, there is no question that we must address it and quickly.