Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 552: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the recent changes to social welfare will make provision for persons who have been in the care of social services from a young age whether in foster care, residential care or in receipt of some other form of State assistance; if, on reaching the age of 18, such persons will be left to fend for themselves on the newly reduced allowances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15923/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The changes that are being made to the Jobseekers Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance schemes are to incentivise 18 and 19 year old jobseekers to avail of education and training opportunities and prevent them becoming welfare dependent from a young age. The rates of the schemes that will be paid to new claimants under the age of 20 are being reduced to €100 per week, with effect from the first week of May 2009. The Qualified Adult rate (e.g. for a spouse/partner) payable in these cases will also be reduced to €100 per week.

It is important to note that the following people will not be affected: Existing claimants; People with dependent children; Those who qualify for the Jobseeker's Benefit; and People transferring to Jobseeker's Allowance immediately after exhausting their entitlement to Jobseeker's Benefit or those transferring from the Disability Allowance directly to Jobseeker's Allowance. Also, where an existing Jobseeker's Allowance claimant under age 20 (being paid the full adult rate) gets a job and leaves Jobseeker's Allowance but loses that job and ends up back on the scheme within 12 months, he or she will get the full adult rate rather than €100 a week.

The importance of providing aftercare services to young people leaving State care is widely recognised. It is acknowledged that the implementation of an effective leaving and aftercare policy strengthens the position of such young people, supports their transition to independence, reduces the possibility of homelessness and social exclusion and represents a key element in achieving positive outcomes for them. The Department is aware that 18 and 19 year olds leaving the care of the Health Service Executive might be particularly vulnerable to these reductions in the rates. This issue is currently being examined further in co-operation with the Department of Health and Children.