Call for support for young after care

Focus Ireland today unveiled a campaign calling for a statutory right to aftercare for young people leaving State care at 18.

The call came as Focus Ireland Life president Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy opened an accommodation project for young people leaving care that is run by the charity in Dublin city.

"The transition from youth to adulthood is a complex and challenging time . . . it is critical that young people who have been in the care of the State are supported during this time and their rights vindicated," Sr. Stanislaus said.

"I believe the State has a moral duty to provide such care as a right in order to protect vulnerable young adults and help them to move on to have happy and independent lives."

Sr Stanislaus said research carried out by Focus Ireland in 2000 found most young people failed to make a successful transition to independent living after leaving care and that many became homeless.

The project announced today provides 10 apartments for young people aged 18-21 where they live in a supported environment for a year after leaving care.

Focus Ireland chief executive Joyce Loughnan said that the scheme - called Chéad Chéim (First Step) - aims to give young people the "breathing space necessary to allow them develop the skills and confidence they will need to live independently".