Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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905. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the Government intends to publish the revised childcare amendment bill, and whether it will include provisions to make aftercare planning mandatory for all care leavers regardless of time spent in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62108/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland's Future, the Government has made a number of commitments with a view to strengthening the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, and protecting children, which include updating the Child Care Act, 1991. The 1991 Act marked a turning point in the protection of children in Ireland, providing a statutory foundation for the safeguarding of children. While the original Act remains a cornerstone of our child welfare framework, significant developments—such as the establishment of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the enactment of the Children First legislation, and the passing of the children’s Referendum— made it necessary to review and update the Act, to ensure it reflects our current child protection environment. I intend to secure Cabinet agreement for the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 soon and proceed to publication of the Bill.

The Programme for Government also commits to examining ways to further support all young people as they age out of state care and foster care. A young person, upon reaching the age of 18 and who has been in State care is deemed to have left care. Eligible care leavers can avail of a range of aftercare supports under the Child Care Act 1991, as part of an individualised aftercare plan developed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. All care leavers can also benefit from Tusla’s drop in aftercare service, which can be attended by care leavers of all ages. I do not propose at this time to include provisions in the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 to change the existing criteria for eligibility for aftercare. This matter will first be considered at a policy level through the ongoing development of a Policy Framework on Alternative Care, which will seek to address some of the short-term challenges in the care system, and to provide a longer term vision for alternative care into the future.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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906. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has conducted any analysis on the outcomes for young people who leave care but do not qualify for aftercare supports, including rates of homelessness, unemployment, and mental health challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62109/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In 2022 this Department launched a significant research and data programme, Care Experiences: Journeys Through the Irish Care System, which is being run in close collaboration with Tusla.

The Care Experiences Programme involves a combination of primary research and administrative data analysis to examine and better understand the lives of children and young people in care and aftercare and adults who were in care as children.

As part of the programme, the Department has commissioned two studies which look at the experiences and outcomes for young people who leave care. A cross-sectional qualitative study with care experienced adults who left the care system ten to fifteen years ago is being undertaken by Trinity College Dublin and the University of Sussex. The Centre for Effective Services has been commissioned to undertake a study exploring the career and education journeys of young care leavers. A longitudinal study following young people as they transition out of care and into adulthood will also be undertaken.

In addition to the Care Experiences Programme, this Department works closely with the Central Statistics Office on the Educational Attendance and Attainment of Children in Care Frontiers Series which has been published in 2023 and 2024. This analysis looks at the educational attendance and attainment of children in care and children who left care since April 2018. It is based on administrative data provided to the Central Statistics Office from Tusla, the Department of Education, the Department for Social Protection, SOLAS, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, the Higher Education Authority, Pobal, Student Universal Support Ireland and the Revenue Commissioners.