Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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898. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports in place for children who are in State care upon turning 18 years of age, to ensure they are provided with appropriate long term housing and supports to support them through an independent adulthood; the legislation which governs this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62085/25]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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902. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will amend the eligibility criteria for aftercare services to ensure that all young people leaving state care, regardless of duration in care, are entitled to an aftercare assessment of need and appropriate supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62105/25]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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903. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider extending the age limit for aftercare supports from 23 to 26 years, based on assessed need, in line with the reality that many young adults require continued support beyond the current threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62106/25]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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904. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review the requirement that care leavers must be in full-time accredited education to qualify for the aftercare allowance; if alternative pathways such as apprenticeships, employment, or career exploration will be considered valid for eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62107/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 898, 902, 903 and 904 together.

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 aftercare eligibility applies to those up to the age of 21 who were in the care of the Child and Family Agency for a period of not less than 12 months in the 5 year period immediately prior to the person attaining the age of 18 years.

Tusla 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.

Additionally, the Child Care Act sets out that the aftercare assessment of need will include the young person’s needs in relation to accommodation. The majority of young people who leave the care of the State each year, having reached 18, do so with secure, stable, safe accommodation in place such as remaining with their foster carers, moving to independent living or returning home to live with their families. The primary responsibility for housing lies with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the local authorities. Currently, care-leavers who are at risk of homeless are assisted by the Child and Family Agency, in partnership with other Government Departments or agencies. Since 2017, care-leavers have also been included as a separate category for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). This scheme provides targeted assistance to the most vulnerable care leavers by enabling Approved Housing Bodies to acquire residential units to accommodate them. Additionally, the Youth Homelessness Strategy, which launched in 2022, adopted a whole-of-Government approach, identifying care-leavers as a cohort who are particularly at risk of becoming homeless, and setting out specific actions for identified vulnerable cohorts.

The Programme for Government 2025 commits to examining ways to further support all young people as they age out of state care and foster care. This Department is developing a National Policy Framework on Alternative Care which will aim to articulate a future and Whole of Government vision of alternative care in Ireland, in accordance with the Programme for Government 2025, ‘Securing Ireland’s Future,’ which committed to the development of a national plan on alternative care. Consultation for the National Policy Framework on Alternative Care launched last Monday 3rd November 2025 and will ensure to consider matters relating to aftercare eligibility which arise during the consultation process.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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899. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children who have received housing as part of their aftercare plan when leaving care at the age of 18 years of age; the number of young adults being supported through aftercare plans by Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62091/25]