Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
440. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to Parliamentary Question No 488 of 28 May 2026, whether Tusla will commence central collation of the number of young people whose aftercare supports cease at 21 years-of-age and the number who subsequently re-engage with services. [50671/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for this question regarding provision of services for young people who have left care.
Statutory responsibility for the provision of aftercare rests in the first instance with Tusla, as set out in the Child Care Act 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. Tusla is independent in the performance of its duties and may exercise discretion in carrying out its statutory functions. Tusla has advised that the effectiveness of aftercare supports is evaluated primarily at an individual level, namely the assessment of need, the preparation and implementation of an aftercare plan, and the ongoing review and updating of the plan where needs change or where the plan is not meeting identified need.
Tusla is engaged in a digital transformation and data management strategy. This strategy is delivering a joined up digital and data environment that provides modern, secure, integrated systems to support the delivery of all Tusla services and improve data insights and metric development.
Officials from the Department are currently progressing the development of a National Policy Framework for Alternative Care. The Framework will aim to articulate a future and Whole of Government vision of alternative care in Ireland, including consideration of eligibility for aftercare, and will also deliver on a Programme for Government commitment in this regard.
