Brian Stanley
Question:17. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons who have left care during each of the past eight years. [32587/13]
View answerThursday, 4 July 2013
Questions (17, 22, 34, 49)
Michael Colreavy
Question:22. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons who were in receipt of an aftercare service during each of the past eight years. [32588/13]
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Martin Ferris
Question:34. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons who received an aftercare service while in full-time education during each of the past eight years. [32589/13]
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Sandra McLellan
Question:49. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children during each month of 2012 and 2013 between the ages of 18 and 21 years who were in receipt of aftercare services broken down by gender; and the number of young persons broken down by gender during each of those same months who were receiving a service and details of what receiving a service means, including any provision of financial support, education supports, accommodation, or emotional supports. [32586/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 22, 34 and 49 together.
I am advised by the HSE that data for discharges from care is not available prior to 2012. In 2012, I am advised that 1,559 children aged 0-18 years were discharged from care. A total of 327 children aged 0-17 years were discharged from care up to the end of March 2013. The figure includes children of all ages who were discharged from care. The HSE Review of Adequacy Report for 2011 states that approximately 37% of new admissions to care during the year had been discharged from care within the year.
The HSE compiles performance reports which include statistics in relation to children in care. These reports are published on the HSE website. Information in relation to aftercare services is published quarterly The latest published report for March 2013 shows that there were 1,149 young adults aged 18-21 years in receipt of an aftercare service, 604 of whom were in full time education.
The HSE has also informed me that 1427 young people over the age of 18 years - 674 males and 753 females were in receipt of an aftercare service at the end of March 2013. This number differs from that published in the performance reports, as it would include young people over 21 years of age who were in receipt of a service.
Information for 2012 is as follows-
- In December 2012, 1,073 young adults were in receipt of an aftercare service, 599 of whom were in full time education;
- In September 2012, 1,101 young adults were in receipt of an aftercare service, 596 of whom were in full time education.
- In June 2012, 1,053 young adults were in receipt of an aftercare service, 614 of whom were in full time education.
- In March 2012, 1,123 young adults were in receipt of an aftercare service, 642 of whom were in full time education.
I have requested a breakdown by gender of these numbers for 2012 and will arrange to forward same to the Deputy when it is available.
The HSE has provided further information in relation to previous years-
- In 2011, 1,213 young adults were in receipt of an aftercare service, 770 of whom were in education or training
- In 2010, 1,046 young adults were in receipt of an aftercare service, 774 of whom were in education or training
- In 2009, 847 young adults were in receipt of an aftercare service, 587 of whom were in education or training
- In 2008, 979 young adults were in receipt of an aftercare service, 673 of whom were in education or training
- In 2007, 1,051 young adults were in receipt of an aftercare service, 674 of whom were in education or training
- In 2006, 810 young adults were in receipt of an aftercare service, 531 of whom were in education or training
The HSE National Aftercare Service is underpinned by a National Policy and Procedures Document which was developed in cooperation with the key stakeholders, including the voluntary sector agencies representing children in care and those involved in aftercare provision and my Department. The policy commits to promoting and achieving the best outcomes for young people leaving care and in ensuring consistency of support to these young people.
An intra-agency National Aftercare Implementation Group, comprised of NGO groups representing aftercare, child advocacy, foster care and other groups, was established by the HSE to monitor progress in implementing the national policy. This group aims to provide a standard, intra and inter-agency approach to the delivery of aftercare services in partnership with the wider voluntary and statutory sector. Given the particular difficulties for some young people leaving care in areas of mental health and disability, the aftercare policy has a strong multi-agency dimension. The Implementation Group is developing protocols with Social Inclusion, Disability Services, Mental Health Services and Primary Care in the HSE and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding housing to support this approach. A protocol has already been signed with the Irish Youth Justice Service which covers joint working arrangements for young people in Detention Schools.