asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the case reported in the media (details supplied) concerning a young woman who had been in care and who had experienced difficulties in relation to obtaining assistance from statutory authorities in respect of adequate income and accommodation.
Written Answers. - Assistance Payment.
477.
The girl referred to in the question was cared for from an early age in a children's residential home. Soon after she reached the age of 16, the voluntary agency running the home decided to phase it out. The Eastern Health Board was notified and, in order to allow her pursue her studies, it arranged a placement for her in a supervised hostel for teenage girls. The girl left the hostel after a short time to make her own arrangements for accommodation. She then applied to the health board for financial assistance. In the circumstances of this particular case the health board, considering that special needs existed, commenced payment to this girl of a supplementary welfare allowance and a rent allowance. On becoming eligible for unemployment assistance, she switched to that form of payment, which continued until very recently when she secured employment.