Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether the aftercare needs of young persons leaving care are been adequately met in view of the evidence that there is a severe shortage of aftercare services; her further views that the provisions contained in Section 45(4) of the child care Act 1991 are insufficient and a statutory right to aftercare is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24668/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 places a statutory duty on the HSE to form a view in relation to each person leaving care as to whether there is a "need for assistance" and if it forms such a view, to provide services in accordance with the legislation and subject to resources.

At 18 years of age, all young people who are in care with the HSE are entitled to an aftercare service based on their assessed needs. The core eligible age range for aftercare is 18 years to 21 years. However, The HSE policy allows for it or be extended beyond the age of 21 on the basis of a need for assistance.

The most important requirements for young people leaving care are for secure, suitable accommodation as well as further education, employment or training and social support. The most vulnerable group of young people leaving care are those that have dropped out of education and training and those that have left residential care. Some of these young people have mental health problems or a disability. Aftercare provision incorporates advice, guidance and practical support. An individual holistic needs assessment identifies a young person's need for accommodation, financial support, social network support and training and education in the months before their 18th birthday. The level of support required will vary for each individual. It is essential that all young people leaving care are provided with the type of transitional support that their individual situation requires. The provision of an appropriate aftercare service has been highlighted as a key element to achieving positive outcomes for young people leaving care.

Some 90% of children in care are in foster care and a large number of these remain living with their foster families, supported financially by the HSE, on reaching 18 years of age. These young people continue in education and training as planned. This remains a key component of aftercare for young people when they leave care.

The HSE National Aftercare Service is underpinned by a National Policy and Procedures Document which has been developed in cooperation with the key stakeholders, including the voluntary sector agencies involved in aftercare provision and my Department. The policy which was finalised in April 2011, commits to promoting and achieving the best outcomes for young people leaving care and in ensuring consistency of support to these young people. The HSE has established an intra-agency National Aftercare Implementation Group to monitor progress in implementing the national policy and their work is ongoing. The implementation of the policy and the ongoing provision of aftercare services is being kept under review and I will continue to engage with the HSE on this matter over the course of the year.