Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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310. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons under and over 18 years of age that were on a waiting list to access an aftercare worker at the end of 2016, by area, in tabular form; the average length of time a young person spends on the waiting list before gaining access to an aftercare worker; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12208/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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311. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons that turned 18 years of age whilst in the care system and were placed on a waiting list for an aftercare worker in each quarter in 2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12210/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 311 together.

Tusla has advised that it does not collate data on waiting lists for the allocation of an aftercare worker for young persons over 18 years. Once the amendments to the 1991 Act are commenced there will be a statutory obligation on Tusla to have an aftercare plan prior to the young person leaving care.

Table A provides a breakdown on the numbers of children in care aged 16 and 17 years with an allocated aftercare worker at the end of December 2016 broken down by area.

Table A: Young adults aged 16 and 17 years in care with an allocated/awaiting an allocated aftercare worker

Children in care have an allocated social worker who assists them in preparing to leave care. Children in residential care, or those who are likely to leave their future care placement on reaching 18 are prioritised for an aftercare worker.

Table B shows the numbers of young adults aged 18 -22 years (inclusive) in receipt of aftercare services who have an allocated aftercare worker at the end of 2016.

Table B: Young adults 18 -22 years (inclusive) in receipt of aftercare supports who have an allocated aftercare worker.

Table C details the number of young adults discharged from care by reason of reaching 18 years of age during 2016 by quarter, the number eligible for an aftercare service, the number availing of an aftercare service and the number with an allocated aftercare worker.

Table C: Young adults discharged from care by reason of reaching 18 years of age during 2016.

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.