Politician(s) lobbied: James Browne (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: The discussion focused on the significant housing challenges faced by care experienced young people when leaving aftercare. Neil and Ciarán outlined the very real risk of homelessness for young people transitioning out of the system and highlighted practical, achievable solutions to ensure that no young person leaves aftercare without a secure place to call home
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
A highly productive meeting in Leinster House with Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne.The discussion focused on the significant housing challenges faced by care experienced young people when leaving aftercare. Neil and Ciarán outlined the very real risk of homelessness for young people transitioning out of the system and highlighted practical, achievable solutions to ensure that no young person leaves aftercare without a secure place to call home.
Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: extending aftercare supports to age 23 for all care leavers
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
On 3 March, representatives of the Irish Aftercare Network met with Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, for a focused discussion on the urgent challenges facing care experienced young people. Our Chairperson Neil Forsyth and Vice Chairperson Ciarán Kenny attended the meeting
Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: Establish a research-driven outcomes framework for care leavers.Achieve legislative reform: needs-based supports, guaranteed housing, extended aftercare to age 25, and decoupling financial aid from education requirements.Introduce a multi-annual, ring-fenced aftercare budget.Reinstate housing priority for care leavers and expand supported accommodation.Increase Tusla funding, cap caseloads at 20, and address funding inequities between statutory and NGO services.
Methods: Submission
Details by Method
Submission
Submission of written recommendations and participation in consultation processes to influence policy development and implementation.The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) invited the submission as part of the ongoing consultation process for the National Policy Framework on Alternative Care.
Politician(s) lobbied: James Browne (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: Policy and programme reforms to improve housing access and security for care leavers, including targeted allocations and scheme redesign.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
Communication – Provided information for inclusion in a pre-recorded message for the Irish Aftercare Network Annual Conference.
Politician(s) lobbied: Mary Butler (Minister of State), Department of Health
Intent: To influence the Minister’s messaging and policy priorities so that:The unique needs of care-experienced young people are explicitly referenced in mental health strategies.Trauma-informed, accessible, and continuous mental health supports are prioritised.Systemic barriers (waiting lists, postcode allocation) are addressed in service planning.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
Email Communication – Provided information for inclusion in a pre-recorded message for the Irish Aftercare Network Annual Conference
Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown
Intent: Unknown
Methods: Unknown
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Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown
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Politician(s) lobbied: Roderic O'Gorman (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Intent: We informed the Minister that many IAN members have been in contact to express their fears about the future of aftercare services in the context of Tusla's imminent Structural Reform Programme. . A discussion was had with Minister with regard to importance of not diluting aftercare as a standalone discipline and likelihood that aftercare workers will be drawn into other areas of work not related to aftercare. Related it back to the issue of no ring-fenced budget for aftercare services
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Meeting took place on october 9th 2024
Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown
Intent: Unknown
Methods: Unknown
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Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown
Intent: Unknown
Methods: Unknown
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