Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
765. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of extending aftercare supports to persons up until the age of 26 years. [42333/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla will support young adult's in education until 21 years of age or 23 if continuing in education. In terms of aftercare allowance being extended until young adult's reach 26 years of age this would result in payment of additional three years of an allowance for each client or €46,800 for each aftercare client.
At the end of quarter 4 2020 there was 1,697 young adults aged 18-22 whom were eligible to receive an aftercare allowance. To process payment for an additional three years for this number of young adults would cost €26,473,200 per annum and thus €79,419,600 for three years.
It’s worth noting this additional cost would be borne out over a number of years due to the current age profile of young adults at present. It should also be noted that this figure is exclusive of the social work cost involved.
