Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

297. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total number of young persons that have been assessed as currently requiring an aftercare worker, by county; the total number of young persons that have yet to be allocated same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6157/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. Tusla is currently reviewing their operational National Leaving and Aftercare Policy in line with the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015.

Data provided by Tusla (table 1) show that during Quarter 3, 2016 approximately 152 young people were discharged from care by reason of turning 18. Of these, 98% were assessed as being eligible for an aftercare service (149) and 88% were availing of the aftercare service (131). 87% of those discharged had an aftercare worker (132).

Table 1: Aftercare Data Q2 2016 - Q3 2016

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. Those who are unemployed, and not engaged in training or education, can apply for jobseeker's allowance from the Department of Social Protection. The jobseeker's allowance payable to care leavers is the full rate and not the reduced rate normally payable to those under 25.

At the end of September 2016, there were 1,841 young people aged 18 to 22 years in receipt of an aftercare service, with 54% (1,001) in full-time education or training.