Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018
574. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) has been informed that their Tusla funded aftercare placement will end on 16 November 2018; and the steps Tusla will take to prevent them from being discharged into homelessness. [47707/18]
View answerThe attention of my officials was drawn to this case by the young person’s former foster parents on the 11th of this month. My officials immediately contacted Tusla, the Child and Family Agency to establish the details of the case. I am pleased to assure you that Tusla have confirmed that they will temporarily extend the young person’s current aftercare placement to ensure that she has a safe place to stay.
According to the information provided by Tusla, the young person in question was due to be discharged from her current placement on Friday 16th November, with the intention that she could move directly to an Aftercare unit run by Focus Ireland and funded by Tusla. Unfortunately, on November 9th, this unit advised that they were not in a position to accommodate the young person due assessed risk.
Tusla are appealing this decision, and are offering additional support to the unit to manage concerns identified by that service. Due to the particularly complex needs of the young person identifying a suitable adult placement is a challenge. Tusla believe that the unit identified will best meet these needs. A final decision is awaited from the unit. In the interim, as mentioned, the young person can temporarily remain in her current placement.
