A new service that provides aftercare support and accommodation for young people leaving State care opened today.
The Focus Ireland Aftercare project was opened by Minister for Children Barry Andrews this morning. The service, which is supported by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and South Dublin County Council, provides a home in independent apartments for up to 13 young people who have left State care.
Staff from Focus Ireland will be onsite to provide support to help inhabitants to acquire the necessary skills to make the transition from care towards independent living.
Speaking at the launch event, which was held in the Big Picture Exhibition Centre in Tallaght, Mr Andrews said the support offered to young people via the programme would help them overcome the difficulties faced by individuals leaving State care.
A number of organisations working with the homeless have campaigned for a legal right to aftercare to protect vulnerable young people who are forced to leave State care at 18.
“We see it through our work all the time that some young people leaving State care have nobody else to turn to for support but the State and it is vital that we honour our commitment as a society to provide the support they need," said Focus Ireland chief executive Joyce Loughnan today.
"We all know through our work that there are still gaps in the provision of aftercare and there is more work for all of us to do to in partnership to help ensure we protect the most vulnerable young people - both when they leave care at 18 and while they are in the care of the State. There is also work to be done to better support and protect vulnerable young children before they even enter the care system," she added.
Focus Ireland said there have been improvements made in recent years to provide aftercare and supports for young people leaving State care. However, it today asked Mr Andrews to take the opportunity of the Child Care Amendment Bill currently going through the Oireachtas to secure a legal right to aftercare.
