Written answers

Wednesday, 20 July 2016

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Aftercare Services

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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460. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 239 and 240 of 26 April 2016, the reason a number of young persons leaving the care of the State at 18 years of age were found ineligible for an aftercare service; the assessment undertaken to ascertain the level of support required by these young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22958/16]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Formal planning for a child who is leaving care normally begins when they turn 16 years of age and an aftercare plan is expected to be in place in the run up to their 18th birthday. Ninety-four per cent of children in care who turned 18 years during 2014 and assessed as needing an aftercare service were offered a service. At the end of March 2016, 121 young adults were discharged from care due to reaching 18 years; 90% of those availing of an aftercare service had an allocated aftercare worker.

Currently, Section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 provides that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, may assist a child leaving its care if it is satisfied that the person has a need for assistance. Currently, Tusla is operating under the 'Leaving and Aftercare Services - National Policy & Procedure" document from 2011. The policy specifies that the core eligible age range for aftercare is 18 years and up to the age of 21 years of age. This may be extended for those in full-time education to complete their course of education.

The policy also includes parameters for the provision of services, including the following:

- A young person should have been in care for a minimum of 12 consecutive months after their 16th birthday, prior to their 18th birthday,

or,

- A young person should have been in care for a minimum of 12 consecutive months on their 16th birthday.

It should be noted that young adults leaving care at 18 years are not obliged to avail of an aftercare service, and those that choose not to engage are encouraged and supported to avail of the services at any stage up to the age of 21 years.

The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 was signed into law in December of last year and is awaiting commencement. The Act is primarily concerned with aftercare - the planning and support put in place to meet the needs of a young person who is leaving statutory care at 18 years of age, to assist him or her in making the transition to independent living. The Act obliges Tusla, following an assessment of need, to prepare an aftercare plan identifying relevant aftercare supports for an eligible child or eligible young person.

An eligible child means a child aged 16 years or over who has spent at least 12 months in the care of the State between the ages of 13 and (up to) 18 years old. An eligible adult means a young person aged 18, 19 or 20 who has spent at least 12 months in the care of the State between the ages of 13 and 18 years old.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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461. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 239 and 240 of 26 April 2016, the accommodation status, if known, of the young persons who left State care and were not allocated an aftercare worker; if it is known if any of these young persons entered homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22959/16]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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At the end of March 2016, there were 1,858 young adults of all ages (i.e., 18 years and upwards, and inclusive of those 25 or older) in receipt of aftercare services. Of the 1,858 young adults, 1,754 (94%) were aged 18-22 years (inclusive). During the first three months of 2016, 121 young adults were discharged from care due to reaching 18 years. 97% of these were eligible for an aftercare service and 91% were availing of a service. Of those availing of a service, 90% had an allocated aftercare worker.

The data on the current accommodation of young persons involved with after care supports is not available of the format referred to by the Deputy. Tusla details in their report for the first quarter of 2016, that the vast majority of 18-22 years olds in receipt of an aftercare service were residing in some form of stable accommodation. 48% of those care leavers remained living with their foster carers, 26% were living independently, 10% returned home, 3% were living in supported lodgings and 5% were living in residential centres. 8% were living in other types of less stable accommodation.

Findings from research show that homelessness amongst care leavers is most likely to occur some years following discharge from care. The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 allows for an eligible adult (those aged 18, 19 or 20 years who have spent 12 consecutive months in care between the ages of 13 and 18) to apply for an aftercare plan.

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