Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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166. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will explain the recent decision by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to impose effective cuts of €50 per week to the fostering aftercare allowance, with an apparent lack of regard for the impact this cut will have on those in aftercare, and on the families trying to support them; if viability studies were undertaken to determine the impact this cut will have on those in continued education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38848/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Under the current National Leaving and Aftercare Policy of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, 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. I have recently brought legislation to the Oireachtas to put this entitlement to an aftercare plan, with some improvements to the eligibility criteria, on a statutory footing to make it an explicit duty to assess a young person's needs on leaving care.

The planning for the transition from care to independent adulthood relies on a collaboration with the young person, their carers and partner agencies to generate a plan that is specific to the individual young person's needs. The aftercare preparation includes an Individual Financial Support Plan, which takes into account the aftercare allowance and all sources of financial support for a young adult that is available from Government Departments or statutory agencies.

Tusla became aware that a situation had evolved historically where there were uneven and different rates of financial supports being made available for young people leaving care around the country. As part of the implementation of its national policy, Tusla addressed this inequitable approach and has introduced a standardised national aftercare allowance of €300 per week. This ensures equality for young adults after leaving care who are engaged in training and education. The introduction of this standardised allowance has meant that young people leaving care who remain in their foster care placement or who are living independently, and who are in education or training, 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. Practices in relation to additional discretionary allowances remain in place. Tusla is aware that some young people due to their vulnerability and level of need, require additional supports both from Tusla services and financially.

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.