Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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259. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether or not there are supports, including advocacy services, in the State for adults, many of whom are relatively young adults, who as children lived in health board and/or HSE/Tusla child/adolescent residential accommodation; to provide signposting information; and whether or not there are existing redress schemes or impending redress schemes to address the abuses including physical, emotional and/or sexual harm many children may have endured, in these aforementioned child/adolescent residential accommodations. [8629/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Tusla’s aftercare service is the primary support for young people who have left care. Young people who have had a care history with Tusla are entitled to access this aftercare service based on their eligibility and assessed needs. The assessment of need considers a number of factors including the young person’s needs in relation to education, financing and budgeting matters, training and employment, health and well-being, personal and social development, accommodation, and family support.

Upon reaching the age of 18, a young person is deemed to have left State care. All eligible care leavers are supported through aftercare services provided by Tusla. Care leavers, depending on need, may be allocated an aftercare worker. All care leavers, without exception or age limit, can attend drop-in services organised by the Tusla aftercare service.

The Child Care Act 1991 (as amended) sets out that, in accordance with an aftercare plan, Tusla may provide supports to care leavers in completing their education until they are 21, and also provides that Tusla may extend those supports up until the young adult turns 23, where a course may need to completed or an academic year finished out.

Tusla also provides financial support to eligible care leavers who are engaged in a qualifying educational course or training programme. The aftercare allowance amounts to €300 per week and is dependent on the eligible young adult attending an accredited education course, third level course or training programme as outlined in the young adult’s aftercare plan. The allowance is provided to cover a young adult’s day to day costs, including accommodation, as they progress in their education or training.

Care leavers may also receive accommodation supports from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as well as local authorities. Care leavers have been included as a separate category for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), which enables Approved Housing Bodies to acquire residential units to accommodate them.

In 2023 Tusla published the Strategic Plan for Aftercare Services for Young People and Young Adults. My Department is engaging with the implementation of this plan with a view to improving aftercare services for care leavers. More information on aftercare services provided by Tusla, including signposting information, may be found at: www.tusla.ie/services/alternative-care/after-care/

In respect of advocacy services, my Department is aware that EPIC (Empowering People in Care) provides services to children in State care and care leavers. EPIC is an independent children’s rights organisation which works with and for, children in state care, and young care leavers. A central part of EPIC’s work is the provision of an independent, human rights advocacy service to this cohort.

EPIC’s National Advocacy Service works directly with children and young people in foster care, relative foster care, residential care, special care, and youth detention. EPIC also works with young people in aftercare services and anyone with care experience, up to the age of 26.

There are no existing or planned redress schemes planned by this Department in respect of care leavers who have resided in Tusla-provided residential care.