Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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15. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will address the concerns of the Irish Network of Foster Carers, INFC, relating to the decision by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to proceed with a new child aftercare policy which will, according to the INFC, increase the displacement of vulnerable young adults into homeless services; if he will address the crisis in understaffing in this area, given that, according to the INFC, north Tipperary alone is currently experiencing child care team understaffing levels of up to 66%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35328/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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All young people leaving care who have been in care for 12 months on their 16th birthday or for 12 consecutive months prior to their 18th birthday are entitled to an aftercare plan. The transition to independent adulthood can be challenging for many young people and a key factor in achieving success is ensuring that assessment, preparation and planning for leaving care begins in the years prior to leaving care and continues as part of the care planning process. This work is based on collaboration with the young person, their carers and partner agencies to generate an aftercare plan that is specific to the individual young person's needs.

In 2012, an implementation plan was developed by Tusla setting out a work plan in order to ensure full compliance with their Leaving and Aftercare Policy. New practices have been introduced, for example the establishment of local steering groups, the development of dedicated aftercare teams, and the standardised aftercare allowance.

Each care leaver, as part of their leaving and aftercare planning, will have an Individual Financial Support Plan. This will form part of an assessment of need which takes account of all sources of financial support from all Government Departments and statutory Agencies. Tusla has introduced a Standardised National Aftercare Allowance of €300 for all care leavers engaged in training and education. The introduction of this allowance has meant that young people who remain in their foster care placement and young people who live independently and in training, education or employment are now receiving the same financial support from Tusla. Many young people in independent living have benefited from an increase in their allowance as a result of this measure.

The system of aftercare supports provided to the young person will be based on their assessed needs. Advice, guidance, support and signposting are key elements of the supports available to care leavers. For those young people who are not in training or education, aftercare services have a key role in providing support to them in liaising with the relevant departments and agencies in accessing financial assistance, employment opportunities, training or supporting them to return to education.

To address the Deputy's concerns about the understaffing situation in the North Tipperary area, recent reports compiled by Tusla show that in the Mid-West region, that encompasses North Tipperary, there were 113.6 whole time equivalent social workers. At the end of June, there were also 12 social work posts in the process of being filled in the Mid-West area.

I have asked Tusla to provide the Deputy directly with information about the staff complement including aftercare workers in the North Tipperary Area. I have, as you may know, secured €38 million in additional funding for Tusla that will see the expansion of the social worker and associated staff complement across the organisation.