Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2017
274. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons in care who have a disability; the way her Department ensures these young persons have the same access to the support they need when they turn 18 years of age; her views on the role of Tusla and the HSE in the connectivity work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8972/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 imposes a statutory duty on Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, following an assessment of need, to prepare an aftercare plan identifying relevant aftercare supports for an eligible child or eligible young person.
For young people with a disability, aftercare planning forms the basis of discussions between Tusla and the HSE to effectively manage the transition from child to adult disability services, based on assessed need. On 30th September 2016 a census style count was carried out of children in care on that day. This census showed that 603 children, representing 10% of children in care at the time, had been diagnosed by a clinical specialist as having a moderate to severe disability.
These young people, in general, will seek to access a mainstream service, adult disability service or primary care service based on their level of need, facilitated by Tusla via the Local Aftercare Implementation Group. The HSE participates in the planning process and is responsible for the provision of the required services.
My Department has been liaising with a number of Government Departments to address issues regarding the provision of services to children in care and those transitioning out of care, and particularly with the Department of Health regarding the situation of children with disabilities transitioning from the care system. In December, 2016, Tusla and the HSE agreed a new protocol in principle, which will operate to ensure good collaboration between Tusla and the HSE on disability related services for children. This protocol provides a clear escalation process should an issue arise, or if there is an unresolved matter around access to appropriate, available services. It is managed at a local level in the first instance. Where this is not possible, there is a clear process in place to escalate the situation and agree a resolution to ensure the child in question is receiving an appropriate, timely, and proportionate service. In addition, officials from both the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Health will agree, in the coming weeks, how best to further develop and copper fasten the appropriate oversight of this new working arrangement.
