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

816. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 8 March 2017 (details supplied), her plans to allocate an aftercare worker to the remaining 275 persons; if they were assessed as needing an aftercare worker; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18266/17]

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

Tusla is currently engaged in the second year of a three year recruitment programme to expand the cohort of social workers, social care workers and business support staff. Tusla is identifying gaps in the aftercare service nationally and has undertaken a major recruitment campaign of social care workers to fill aftercare post vacancies.

Aftercare is a term used to describe 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. A child is eligible for an aftercare plan when the child spent at least 12 months in the care of the State between the ages of 13 and (up to) 18 years old. Young people who leave State care can avail of advice, guidance and practical support to assist them make the transition to independent living. Aftercare workers engage with the young person, his or her family, foster carers, social workers, key residential social care workers and other statutory, community and voluntary agencies. Consent and engagement from the young adult is essential in delivering an effective and robust aftercare provision. It is important to recall that as young adults, those leaving care, sometimes, do not avail of the support that Tusla might provide.

The most important requirements for young people leaving care are for continuity of relationships, secure, suitable accommodation and further education, employment or training. There were a total of 1,806 young people aged 18 to 22 years in receipt of aftercare supports from Tusla at the end of 2016. Of this group, 58% (1,040) were in full-time education. In terms of living arrangements, 46% of the 18-22 year olds remained with their carers, 10% returned home, 27% were in independent living arrangements and 5% were in a residential placement.

During Quarter 4, 2016 a total of 138 young adults were discharged from care by reason of reaching 18 years. 92% (127) were eligible for an aftercare service and of these 89% (113) were availing of the service. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that all 113 had an allocated social worker. Tusla has informed me in 2016, a total of 605 young persons in care turned 18 years of age. Of these, 584 young people were eligible for aftercare supports and 524 availed of the aftercare supports which were offered to them.