PRESS RELEASE

Children’s Rights Alliance Welcomes Right to Aftercare Plans

The Children’s Rights Alliance has responded to the announcement by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone TD of a new entitlement to provide aftercare plans for children leaving the care system. This is to be backed up by promised funding for aftercare workers to support up to 600 children leaving care each year.

Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance said today that: “No young person turning 18 magically transforms into an independent adult. All young people still need support on how to survive in the adult world of paying bills, applying for jobs, not to mention emotional support in times of turmoil.

Children leaving care are an especially vulnerable group. Often these young people have experienced neglect or abuse in their childhoods. Many will not have a family to help them in early adulthood. They need supports in young adulthood even more than most other young people.

This announcement to provide a right to an aftercare plan is a welcome step in the right direction. Together with additional resources for aftercare workers, this should make aftercare a reality for young people. But we need to go one step further and ensure that all young people leaving care have a right to aftercare services.”

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For further information, please contact:
Emma McKinley, Communications & Development Manager
01 662 9400 / 087 655 9067
emma@childrensrights.ie

Note for Editors
• Tanya Ward, Chief Executive is available for interview.