Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will increase the time for researching homelessness status for children who leave State care to be extended to ten years after they reach 18 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23952/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Under Section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 the HSE may provide assistance and support to young people leaving their care up to the age of 21 years, or to young people completing an educational course until the completion of that course.

The Deputy may be aware of a longitudinal study being undertaken by Trinity College in respect of young homeless people. Phase I of the study entitled Understanding Youth Homelessness in Dublin City: Key Findings from the First Phase of a Longitudinal Cohort Study was funded by my Office and was published in 2006. In December, 2008 I launched Phase II entitled Young People's Homeless Pathways. Phase III is underway and my Office is also contributing towards the costs of this phase of the study. A unique feature of the research is its longitudinal focus, tracking homeless young people since 2004. The research highlights some valuable and key information on why many of these young people become and remain homeless.