Minister rejects mandatory support for young after care

MANDATORY AFTER-CARE supports for young people leaving care are not necessary, the Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews said yesterday.

He refused to accept amendments that would have ensured such supports to forthcoming legislation. He also rejected criticism of the planned dissolution of the Children Acts Advisory Board. Mr Andrews was speaking at the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children which was discussing the Child Care (Amendment) Bill.

Labour TD Kathleen Lynch TD and Fine Gael deputies Charles Flanagan and Denis Naughten called for provision to be made in the Act entitling young people leaving care to supports.

“As public representatives we come across young men and women every week who have been in care and are in considerable trouble coping with life. They are put out into the world at 18 with no one to guide them,” said Ms Lynch.

The inability of some young people to cope after leaving care has been highlighted in reports from such organisations as Focus Ireland and also after the death of Tracey Fay (19) who died of a drug overdose in 2002, a year after leaving care.

“This is about ensuring the HSE continues to guide them in terms of setting them up with an ability to make a life for themselves,” said Ms Lynch.

Currently a young person leaving State care may have an after-care plan drawn up if the HSE deems they need it. Mr Naughten said this was not “in any way adequate”. Referring to the number of young people who go missing from HSE care, he said: “If they don’t care about kids when they’re under 18, Minister what chance have they when they reach 18?”

Mr Andrews rejected the calls and said the current law, which provides for aftercare “should the need arise”, was adequate.

Ms Lynch said it was not good enough to say, “Some children will manage and some will not. Would you put your 18-year-old outside the door and say, ‘You’re on your own’?” She also criticised the dissolution of the Children’s Act Advisory Board, provided for in the Bill. Mr Andrews said its functions were being subsumed into his office.

“When you look at the organisations that are being dissolved – the Equality Authority, Combat Poverty and now this board, it does appear to me that it’s only the boards which protect citizens that are being dissolved,” said Ms Lynch.