Written answers
Wednesday, 17 January 2018
Department of Children and Youth Affairs
Child and Family Agency Data
Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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193. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the living arrangements of young persons in receipt of aftercare services as reported in the Tusla quarterly service performance and activity reports; the types of accommodation included in the other category in its published breakdowns of living arrangements; if homeless accommodation is included in this category; the number in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2156/18]
Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The most recent aftercare data available from Tusla indicates that the majority of young people aged 18-22 years, in receipt of aftercare services, remained with their foster families, while some progress to independent living. The following table outlines the living arrangements of young adults in receipt of aftercare services in Q3 2017.
| Living Arrangements in aftercare | Number and % of young people (18-22) |
|---|---|
| Remained with carers | 878 (45.9%) |
| Independent living | 522 (27.3%) |
| Returned home/family | 203 (10.6%) |
| Other Accommodation | 171 (8.9%) |
| Residential placement | 95 (5%) |
| Supported lodgings | 45 (2.4%) |
| Total | 1,914 (100%) |
Tusla policy is not to discharge young adults from care into homeless services. Tusla is working with my Department, and the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, on projects to secure housing for care leavers.
Aftercare is an adult service, and young adults may choose whether they wish to engage with it. Aftercare workers engage with young adults leaving care to ensure that their needs are met in transitioning to adulthood.
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