Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

[Deputy Frances Fitzgerald.]
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Youth Justice Service have taken steps to ensure that children in care and detention are familiar
with the work of Empowering People in Care (EPIC). This agency meets with and advocates
for children in care.
The Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse made two key recommendations in relation
to the voice of the child as follows. The first was that they should be able to communicate
concerns without fear and secondly that children who have been in child care facilities are in
a good position to identify failings and deficiencies in the system, and should be consulted.
The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse 2009 Implementation Plan , commonly known
as the Ryan Implementation Plan contains a series of measures, designed to ensure that children
and young people have a stronger voice and are consulted.
My Department led a major consultation exercise with children and young people in the care
of the State over the course of 2010. Over 200 children and young people took part in consultation
sessions. The aims and objectives of the consultations were to get the views of children
and young people in the care of the State on the issues that really matter to them and on which
they would like to be heard; to explore existing mechanisms for children and young people to
express their views and to make recommendations on future structures to be established for
children and young people to express their views. The Report, entitled “Listen To Our Voices”
was launched by me last July.
At the launch of the “Listen To Our Voices” last July, I indicated that I would be establishing
a Voice of Children in Care Implementation Group to be facilitated by my Department. Its
work and direction will be informed and influenced by children and young people. It is planned
to establish the Group in the current year and my Department is currently working with the
HSE on this basis.
70. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total number
of young persons currently in receipt of after care services from the Health Service Executive;
the number of aftercare workers employed by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on
the matter. [8057/12]
85. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will
outline the current after care supports that are available for children and young persons who
are leaving care; if she will provide figures for the proportion of said children and young
persons who are provided with after care supports; her proposals on addressing shortcomings
in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8082/12]
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I propose to take
Questions Nos. 70 and 85 together.
Section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 places a statutory duty on the HSE to form a view in
relation to each person leaving care as to whether there is a “need for assistance” and if it forms
such a view, to provide services in accordance with the legislation and subject to resources. All
young people who have had a care history with the HSE, be it foster care, residential care,
high support, or special care are entitled to an aftercare service based on their assessed needs.
The core eligible age range for aftercare is 18 years and up to 21 years. This can be extended
until the completion of a course of education in which he/she is engaged up to the age of 23
years of age.The HSE has not routinely collected national data in respect of children who leave
the care of the state each year, therefore it is not possible to provide data on the proportion of
such children in receipt of aftercare. It is intended that implementation of a National Childcare
Information System, which is due to go to tender this year, will provide for the routine collec-
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