Dessie Ellis
Question:9. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32590/13]
View answerThursday, 4 July 2013
Questions (9)
Written answers
Section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 places a statutory duty on the HSE to form a view in relation to each person leaving care as to whether there is a "need for assistance" and if it forms such a view, to provide services in accordance with the legislation and subject to resources. All young people who have had a care history with the HSE, be it foster care, residential care or high support, are entitled to an aftercare service based on their assessed needs. The length of time an aftercare service is provided is dependent upon the assessed needs of the young person, but is generally provided for up to the age of 21 years or 23 years if the young person is in education.
As regards the young person referred to in the Deputy's question, I asked the HSE to investigate the case last month, following receipt of representations on the matter. The HSE has advised me that the young person in question reached the age of 18 in February 2012 and the full fostering allowance continued until they completed school in June 2012. The young person commenced a full time course for the academic year 2012/2013 and is in receipt of disability benefit from the Department of Social Protection and a pro-rata fostering allowance also issues from the HSE. The young person continues to retain a combined yearly financial support package of €18,304 from the HSE and the Department of Social Protection.
Question No. 10 answered with Question No. 8.