Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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1443. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the vast differences in child care orders between towns; if she will address the concern that children in care are subject to a geographic lottery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19981/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, may receive a child into care on a voluntary basis or following an application to the courts. There are a range of orders provided for under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended. I can confirm that Tusla does not hold data on the reasons for the divergences in the granting of care orders by different courts. Decisions on the variation or discharge of a care order are a matter for the relevant Court and I am not in a position to comment on these.

The application for a care order is a serious step and Tusla makes every effort to identify supports or actions that could act as an alternate approach. Tusla engages with parents and children in the preparation of an application for a care order, except where this is not possible or it may not be appropriate under the circumstances. The Court may seek a range of reports or the assistance of a Guardian ad litembefore coming to a decision. It may be of interest to the Deputy that the Courts Service provides some data on the activity in the District Courts in respect of applications for care order to the child care law reporting project and this is published on its website, www.childlawproject.ie.

Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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1444. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if transitional services exist for 18 year olds being phased out of State care; her views on whether they are effective in preventing homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19985/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla’s aftercare service provides young people leaving care with the planning and support they need in making the transition to independent living. The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 was signed into law in December 2015. It entitles eligible young people to a formal aftercare plan, prepared by Tusla in collaboration with the young person leaving care. In response to this legislation Tusla has introduced a number of new practices. It has developed dedicated aftercare teams, standardised financial supports it offers to those leaving care, and continues to develop inter-agency steering committees to strongly promote co-ordination of these services at local level. Through these measures, young people leaving care are offered a wide range of services from different sectors including income supports, health supports, accommodation and education.

Of the 602 young adults discharged from care by reason of reaching 18 years of age during 2016, 581 (or 97%) were eligible for an aftercare service. Of these, 521 (90%) availed of the aftercare service. It should be noted that engagement with Tusla in relation to aftercare is on a voluntary basis. Tusla has no power to oblige a young person to avail of the support offered. In all 1,389 young adults aged 18 to 20 inclusive were in receipt of an aftercare service at the end of the year. Of these, 803 (58%) were in full time education while a further 442 (32%) were receiving education or training outside of full time education.

In addition to the aftercare planning and supports provided by Tusla, Rebuilding Ireland – the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness commits to ensuring that young people leaving State care who are at risk of homelessness are identified and catered for through appropriate housing and other supports.

Funding is now in place under the capital assistance scheme (CAS) enabling approved housing bodies (AHBs) to acquire residential units to accommodate young people exiting State care. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is collaborating with Tusla on the development of principles and criteria relating to funding proposals. Where accommodation is provided under CAS, Tusla will provide additional independent living supports, in particular for the most vulnerable care leavers, in accordance with the individual’s pre-agreed aftercare plan. Tusla has also redistributed its protocol on young people leaving State care to housing authorities. The aim of this protocol is to ensure that the necessary measures are in place to prevent homelessness for young people leaving State care.