Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 September 2022
265. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if serious consideration will be given to increasing the after-care allowance that replaces the foster care allowance in respect of young persons who remain living with foster carers after the age of 18 years and continue in education and training to take the cost-of-living increases into consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45338/22]
View answerTusla has a statutory obligation to prepare an aftercare plan for every young person leaving care who is eligible under section 45 the Child Care Act 1991, as amended. Further, this plan is informed by an assessment of need carried out prior to the young person leaving care. Specifically the Act states that any assessment of need shall include an assessment by Tusla of the needs (if any) of the person being assessed in relation to: education, financing and budgeting matters, training and employment, health and wellbeing, personal and social development, accommodation and family support.
Tusla provides financial support to eligible care leavers who are engaged in a qualifying educational course or training programme. The ‘aftercare allowance’ amounts to €300 per week and is available to care leavers up to the age of 23. In addition, care leavers may also be entitled to a number of additional financial supports in respect of education which include the SUSI Grant (which is payable at the higher rate for care leavers) and the Tusla Dormant Accounts funded Bursary Scheme.
Care leavers not engaged in education and not in employment are eligible for full Jobseekers Allowance rather than the reduced rate, provided that they were in the care of Tusla for 12 months prior to their 18th birthday.
Eligible care leavers are also entitled to an aftercare grant. This is a once off payment paid to the eligible adult when they leave a placement and is to assist with rent/ deposit and start-up costs associated with initial moving home expenses.
Tusla has advised that following four years of implementation of the Aftercare Strategy, they have fully implemented the agreed standardised Aftercare service delivery model. Tusla has advised that they continue to further develop and enhance Aftercare Service delivery with the aim of meeting identified need while being informed by and in consultation with internal and external stakeholders.
Tusla has advised that they are currently in preparation for and moving towards the next phase in the service improvement plan for Aftercare scheduled to commence in the autumn of 2022. This next phase will set out the Tusla Strategic Plan for Aftercare Services 2022-2025 for care experienced young people and young adults. Tusla has advised that this will involve a wide and comprehensive consultation process in the development of this strategy, which also includes a review of the current Finance Policy for Aftercare.
