Opinion | The Urgent Need for Aftercare Reform in Ireland
Each year, young people leave state care. While many will benefit from an aftercare service, some are left to fend for themselves, writes Josh Farrell.
Aftercare plays a significant role in the life of care-leavers. It is a package of support provided by Tusla, which can include a dedicated aftercare worker and services, financial supports and in some cases, aftercare accommodation. However, to date, the government have missed an opportunity to address a critical shortcoming of Ireland’s current legislation – not every young person leaving care is eligible, as aftercare is not universal.
This is the reality. When we don’t look out for the vulnerable or minorities, they can be forgotten in our society and in our policies. Some care leavers can end up homeless or at risk of exploitation. If we are to ensure that every young person leaving care is given the keys to unlock a bright future of their own, aftercare needs urgent review and reform.
Investing in our future and the eligibility barrier
In the chapter titled “Investing in our future”, the new Programme for Government outlines commitments to the children and young people of Ireland. It includes a commitment to examine “ways to further support all young people as they age out of state care and foster care”.
As it stands, equal opportunities for care leavers are limited by restrictive eligibility criteria for aftercare. The current law states that a child must have spent 12 months in the care of the state between the ages of 13 and 18 years to be eligible for an Aftercare Assessment of Need, and 12 months continually from their 17th birthday to be eligible for the aftercare allowance.
This is absolutely limiting and often blocks vulnerable young people from vital support. A teenager who enters care on their 17th birthday may be exempt from receiving aftercare as they don’t reach the eligibility requirements. This is very unfair as there is an acknowledgement by Tusla that the young person needed to be taken into care. This is always an act of last resort, which means, even at 17, a young person may have heightened vulnerabilities or be lacking family support or networks to fall back on.
Another consideration for Government is the eligibility criteria for an aftercare allowance, which currently depends on being in full time education on an accredited course. While further and higher education is an important pathway and should be incentivised, it should not dictate eligibility for an aftercare allowance. A young person may need time to consider what career path they want to take, rather than opting for a course to ensure some financial stability as they transition to independent living. Progressing in life should not be limited to traditional academic education alone, as many alternative paths exist.
I would also argue for the age for aftercare supports to be raised to 26 years based on an assessment of need. Other young people take gap years, do masters, or start university later, whereas those leaving care, can’t. Just last month, CSO data revealed that 70% of young people aged 25 in Ireland, still live at home with their parents. Yet care leavers are expected to be fully independent much earlier.
What Needs to Change?
A fundamental shift is needed in Ireland’s approach to aftercare. Every care leaver should have a guaranteed aftercare plan that ensures equal opportunities regardless of their level of education or duration in care. Discrimination based on these factors must be eliminated to create a fairer system.
The Government, which assumes the role of the parent for children in care, should not abruptly abandon its duty when a young person turns 18. Just as a parent continues to provide guidance beyond childhood, our government must uphold its responsibility as a child becomes a young adult.
A Call for Action
The failure to address these issues in the Draft Heads of the Child Care Amendment Act reflect a deeper issue: young people leaving care are not a political priority. As a society, we cannot continue to turn a blind eye to their struggles. The new government has committed to updating the Child Care Act, 1991 during its lifetime, so there is still an opportunity to address these issues. Reform is not just necessary—it is urgent. If the government is truly committed to investing in our future and giving all young people in Ireland a fair chance, we must fix the cracks before more vulnerable lives slip through them.