Young people exiting care left to 'fall off a cliff' when they reach 18

According to Tusla, there are currently 2,999 young people and young adults in receipt of aftercare services. File picture

Young people leaving care are left to “fall off a cliff” when they reach 18 years of age because of a lack of accommodation and residential aftercare services, an advocacy body has said.

The Irish Aftercare Network has submitted a document to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in response to Tusla’s recently-published Strategic Plan for Aftercare Services for Young People and Young Adults 2023 -2026.