In response to the news Marissa Ryan, CEO of EPIC said: “After many years of advocating for Action 65 of the Ryan Report to be implemented, EPIC believe this is a milestone in the evolution of Ireland’s care system.” 

“Action 65 states that ‘The HSE will, with their consent, conduct a longitudinal study to follow young people who leave care for 10 years, to map their transition to adulthood.’ The launch of this action by DCEDIY creates a real opportunity to shape an improved care system – one that is based on facts and data – to meet the needs of the children and young people we work with both now and into the future.”  

“We hope the evidence generated, which will be based on lived experiences, will bring about positive changes to policy and practice for children and young people in care, and help in creating a future that allows all children and young people to have empowering and positive care experiences.”

• Marissa Ryan is available for interview.
• Government announcement: gov.ie – Minister O’Gorman launches largest ever examination of the lives of children in care and adults who were in care as children (www.gov.ie)
• EPIC Empowering People in Care (EPIC) is a national organisation that works with and for children and young people who are currently living in care or who have experience of living in care. This includes those in relative care, foster care, and residential care – including high support and special care – as well as children and young people accommodated by the State under section 5 of the Childcare Act, and those sentenced or remanded by the Courts. EPIC also works with young people preparing to leave care and in aftercare services, and with adults with care experience.
• EPIC is the only independent organisation providing direct 1:1 advocacy support to children and young people in care. EPIC’s advocacy service works to enable them to have their views and concerns heard and taken seriously, to empower them to speak for themselves, to help to resolve the issues and challenges they experience in care, to assist them in accessing the services and resources they need and to bring about positive change in their experience of care and their lives generally.