Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews dismissed the need for mandatory after care supports for young people leaving care during recent discussion at the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children discussion of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill. 

The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) believes that such a dismissal is unacceptable. Spokesperson for the IASW and lecturer in Social Work at NUI Galway Declan Coogan said “social workers are shocked and surprised at the Minister’s rejection of mandatory supports for young people leaving care”. He added when young people come into State care the State assumes the responsibilities and duties similar to parenthood and it is unacceptable that the State would walk away from a young person leaving care, expecting them to cope with the demands of independent living alone. He noted that social workers are particularly worried about the plight of the 793 children in care who do not have an allocated social worker (13% of the 5,877 children in care). 

The IASW also draws attention to recent figures published by the HSE that revealed that over 800 children were homeless in 2008. Research shows that young people who have needed to have recourse to state care are at greater risk of homelessness and drug and alcohol problems. Social workers find it intolerable and unacceptable that the State would not accept a mandatory duty to assist young people leaving care in starting independent living. 

Coogan stated that the Irish Association of Social Workers calls on the Minister for Children Barry Andrews to accept amendments to the Child Care (Amendment) Bill to include a statutory obligation on the HSE to provide aftercare support for young people leaving care. 

Declan Coogan,

Communications Co-ordinator,

Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW),Contact:  01 6774838 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it