Question to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Ms. Frances Fitzgerald, TD)
For WRITTEN ANSWER on 23/04/2013
To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young people who left care in 2012; and the number of those who received aftercare support. – Jerry Buttimer T.D.
REPLY.
At the end of December 2012, 1,457 young people were in receipt of an aftercare service. The HSE has indicated that 412 children in care turned 18 years of age in 2012. The needs of all of these young people was considered and 300 young people were assessed as needing one or a combination of these specific aftercare services: remaining with foster carers , remaining in supported lodgings, moving to supported residential accommodation, assistance in finding private accommodation, financial help with education and training opportunities and the allocation of an aftercare key worker. Only six young people of the 300 who were offered an aftercare service or services said they did not wish to avail of aftercare.
The HSE advise that of the remaining 112, some young people returned to their birth families and wished to break off contact with the HSE while some young people remain living with their foster carers and they and their foster carers may decide they no longer wish to be provided with financial or other supports.