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Youth Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 June 2014

Thursday, 5 June 2014

Questions (130)

Gerry Adams

Question:

130. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is any central Government funding available to newly-established not-for-profit organisations who provide care services to young adults who were in the care of the State as children but, on reaching the age of 18, find themselves with little support, social exclusion and, more crucially, no homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23989/14]

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Written answers

Young people who leave State care are entitled to advice, guidance and practical support. This is delivered in partnership with the young person, his or her family, foster carers, social workers, key residential social care workers and other statutory, community and voluntary agencies. Approximately 450 children leave care annually.

Aftercare is the planning and support put in place to meet the needs of a young person who is leaving statutory care at 18 years of age, to assist him/her in making the transition to independent living. The most important requirements for young people leaving care are for continuity of relationships; secure, suitable accommodation as well as further education, employment or training.

The core eligible age range for aftercare is from 18 years up to 21 years. This can be extended until the completion of a course of education and training in which a young person who has left care, or is leaving care, is engaged. Many young people remain in their foster care placement after 18 – the assistance they need may be a continuation of the fostering arrangements and support in accessing educational opportunities. Young people who do not have family support from a foster carer or family base are assisted in finding accommodation in either supported lodgings, sheltered housing or independent accommodation and encouraged and supported financially in furthering their training and education.

As the Deputy will be aware, it has been decided to strengthen the legislative provisions regarding aftercare. The approach adopted is to impose a statutory duty on the Agency to prepare an aftercare plan for an eligible child or eligible young person. The aim is to create an explicit, as opposed to implicit, statement of the Agency’s duty to satisfy itself as to the child’s or young person’s need for assistance by preparing a plan that identifies those needs for aftercare supports. The draft provisions also clarify the range of agencies providing relevant services with which the Agency will cooperate in the development of the plan.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, at its sitting on 1 April, considered the draft aftercare provisions. I understand that following this meeting a report is being prepared, which will be forwarded to me in due course. I will consider its content prior to refining the text of the provisions in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

There is no funding directly available from my Department to not for profit organisations providing services for care leavers. Aftercare is delivered directly by the Child and Family Agency with additional support provided through Service Level Agreements between the Agency and Focus Ireland, Cross Care, Don Bosco and the Simon Community. The Agency has advised that there is no new funding currently available to develop such additional services. However, any organisation interested in providing aftercare services is invited to forward their proposal to the relevant Regional Service Director of the Agency. These will be considered by the Agency in the context of its ongoing review of funding to all service providers.

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