Aftercare Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 March 2017

Wednesday, 8 March 2017

Ceisteanna (310, 311)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons under and over 18 years of age that were on a waiting list to access an aftercare worker at the end of 2016, by area, in tabular form; the average length of time a young person spends on the waiting list before gaining access to an aftercare worker; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12208/17]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

311. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons that turned 18 years of age whilst in the care system and were placed on a waiting list for an aftercare worker in each quarter in 2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12210/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 311 together.

Tusla has advised that it does not collate data on waiting lists for the allocation of an aftercare worker for young persons over 18 years. Once the amendments to the 1991 Act are commenced there will be a statutory obligation on Tusla to have an aftercare plan prior to the young person leaving care.

Table A provides a breakdown on the numbers of children in care aged 16 and 17 years with an allocated aftercare worker at the end of December 2016 broken down by area.

Table A: Young adults aged 16 and 17 years in care with an allocated/awaiting an allocated aftercare worker

End December 2016	Number of children in care aged 16 and 17 years	Number of children in care aged 16 and 17 years with an allocated aftercare worker	Number of children in care aged 16 and 17 years awaiting an allocated aftercare worker
DSC	62	8	54
DSE/WW	48	33	15
DSW/K/WW	91	31	60
Midlands	63	49	14
DNC	121	26	95
Dublin North	56	27	29
LH/MH	70	39	31
CN/MN	19	10	9
Cork	143	52	91
Kerry	24	17	7
CW/KK/ST	70	6	64
WD/WX	59	20	39
Mid West	95	29	66
GY/RN	63	24	39
Mayo	20	20	0
Donegal	29	19	10
SO/LM/WC	22	22	0
Total	1,055	432	623

Children in care have an allocated social worker who assists them in preparing to leave care. Children in residential care, or those who are likely to leave their future care placement on reaching 18 are prioritised for an aftercare worker.

Table B shows the numbers of young adults aged 18 -22 years (inclusive) in receipt of aftercare services who have an allocated aftercare worker at the end of 2016.

Table B: Young adults 18 -22 years (inclusive) in receipt of aftercare supports who have an allocated aftercare worker.

	The total number of young adults aged 18 to 22 inclusive in receipt of an aftercare service on the last day of the reporting period	Number of young adults aged 18 to 22 inclusive in receipt of an aftercare service who have an allocated aftercare worker
December  2016	1,806	1,531

Table C details the number of young adults discharged from care by reason of reaching 18 years of age during 2016 by quarter, the number eligible for an aftercare service, the number availing of an aftercare service and the number with an allocated aftercare worker.

Table C: Young adults discharged from care by reason of reaching 18 years of age during 2016.

	Number discharged	Number discharged eligible for after care service	Number availing of an aftercare service	Number with an allocated aftercare worker
Q1 2016	121	117	106	95
Q2 2016	194	191	174	144
Q3 2016	152	149	131	132
Q4 2016	138	127	113	113
Total	605	584	524	484

The transition to independent adulthood can be challenging for many young people and a key factor in achieving success is ensuring that assessment, preparation and planning for leaving care begins in the years prior to leaving care and continues as part of the care planning process. This work is based on collaboration with the young person, their carers and partner agencies to generate an aftercare plan that is specific to the individual young person's needs.