Budget 2027 must deliver for children in care and young care-leavers
4 September 2026
This morning, EPIC Empowering People in Care launched our Pre-Budget Submission, calling for children in care and young people leaving care to be a priority in Budget 2027.
Our submission is grounded in our direct engagement with children and young people across the country. Through our advocacy service, we see the impact of gaps in services, delays in accessing supports and inconsistencies in how policy is implemented in practice.
The Government made a commitment in its Programme for Government to “support Tusla and ensure their structures are robust, responsive and capable of safeguarding every child in need.” Budget 2027 must turn that commitment into action.
EPIC is calling for €370 million in funding for Tusla, representing a 26% increase, to ensure the agency has the operational capacity to meet the needs of the children in care and young care-leavers.
This €370 million investment should support a range of measures, including:
- €850,000 for independent advocacy to ensure every child in and transitioning from residential care can access an independent advocate.
- Strengthened aftercare, including increasing the aftercare allowance to €425 per week, bringing it in line with the foster care allowance, and index-linking future increases.
- More flexible aftercare, including introducing a payment for care-leavers who are not in education or training and ensuring young people who have spent time in care or been accommodated by Tusla can receive support on a needs-assessed basis.
- An allocated aftercare worker for every young person leaving care, with increased investment to address current pressures.
- Increased investment in frontline staffing, including funding to recruit 400 additional frontline Tusla staff and increased training and recruitment of social workers.
- Strengthened foster care, with increased investment to support existing foster carers and encourage new fostering arrangements, including practical and financial supports to meet children’s needs.
- Increased special care capacity, including funding towards the implementation of the the External Review on Special Care with immediate funding for additional onward and high-support placements.
EPIC is calling for a whole-of-government approach to support children in care and young care-leavers, with investment needed across housing, health, education, disability and social protection.
This should include:
- €35 million invested in care-leaver housing, through a ring-fenced allocation to the Capital Assistance Scheme to secure and support 100 additional units in 2027.
- Better support for care-experienced youth with disabilities, with reliable HSE funding to ensure appropriate placements and supports are in place well in advance of young people turn 18.
- Mental health and therapeutic supports until at least age 25
- Increased, direct investment in education, including accommodation and wraparound supports to help young people access and remain in further and higher education.
Speaking at the launch, EPIC Youth Council member Timmy highlighted the importance of recognising that young people do not all follow the same path into adulthood.
“Are we giving young people leaving care the same chance to succeed as everyone else? If the State is our corporate parent, then it needs to act like one.
“A good parent doesn’t say, ‘You’re 18 now, so you’re on your own.’ They support you when things go wrong. They help you get back on your feet. And they understand that everyone takes a different path into adulthood.
“That’s the kind of support I want to see in Budget 2027.”