The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald today officially launched a new Focus Ireland Project based in Waterford city. The Focus Ireland Aftercare Service, which is provided with the support of the HSE in Waterford city, provides aftercare support and accommodation to young people leaving State care.

Focus Ireland staff provide on site support to help the young people to acquire the necessary skills and confidence to make the transition from care towards independent living.

The service, open to young people aged 17 – 23 year old, offers support, planning, advice and guidance, providing accommodation and support for up to 8 young people at a time. One of the 8 beds is open to any young person aged 17-23 who is at risk of homelessness.

Each young person has their own one bed apartment and access to Focus Irelandstaff that helps them develop in areas including self care, money management skills and accessing training and employment opportunities.

Speaking at the launch event Minister Frances Fitzgerald said:

"I am pleased to officially launch this new project as the accommodation and support these young people are receiving is vital to help them make a smooth transition to adult life and overcome the difficulties that some young people face when they leave State care."

“We are working with the HSE, Focus Ireland and other voluntary organizations around the country to deliver these important services for young people from a care background. I am proud to say that this work here in Waterford is already helping some local young people to move towards independent living."

Twenty two year old Stacey, a young person who currently lives at the Focus Ireland Aftercare service, said:

“I really like living here. The staff are very supportive, without being too invasive while assisting with general life issues.  If I wasn’t here, I would probably be homeless.”

Meanwhile, Focus Ireland CEO Joyce Loughnan said:

“Focus Ireland has campaigned for years for a legal right to aftercare as we believe this right is crucial to help protect vulnerable young people from falling through the cracks and into difficulties when they have to leave State care at 18.  There is also work to be done to better support and protect vulnerable young children before they even enter the care system.”

"This new service shows what is possible to achieve through a partnership approach.  Its great to see the young people living in the project have somewhere to call home and a base where they can get support and plan for the future.  It’s important to acknowledge that a young person does not suddenly become an adult once they reach 18 years of age. We all know that people of this age often need support as they struggle to establish an independent life. This new service will help to bridge the gap from care to home for many young people in the South East.”

She continued:

“It is also important to acknowledge that while there is much good work being done we all know through our work that there are still gaps in the provision of aftercare and there is more work for all of us to do in partnership to help ensure we protect the most vulnerable young people - both when they leave care at 18 and while they are in the care of the State.