State urged not to ‘fail’ children in care after they turn 18

THE state will be failing its responsibility as a “parent” to children in care if it does not make statutory provision to support over- 18-year-olds within the system, children’s charity Barnardos has said.

Once a teenager turns 18 the state does not have to maintain care services.

But with the Child Care amendment bill set to be debated in the Seanad today, an Alliance group, including Focus Ireland, Barnardos and the Irish Foster Care Association, is lobbying the Government to make provision for this age group.