State needs to invest in teens leaving its care

I BELIEVE Focus Ireland’s call for a statutory right to aftercare for young people leaving State care (Irish Examiner, November 19) would be a sound economic and moral investment for the Government to consider — despite our current economic difficulties.

After all, it has the potential to save the Government millions of euro while also saving young lives by providing targeted support to prevent many young people from stumbling down the routes of homelessness, addiction and crime.

The problem arises because when a young person turns 18, the State no longer has any obligation to provide care for them. Many people, like myself, had a seamless transition from our teenage years to adulthood. We were supported in moving out of home, going to college or finding work by our parents or relatives.