Breaking Through Company Limited by Guarantee

Lobbying Organisation Breaking Through Company Limited by Guarantee

Date published 12 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Children and Youth Affairs

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details The Irish Aftercare Network (IAN) advocates for systemic reform to ensure young people transitioning from care receive comprehensive, needs-based supports. Current gaps leave care leavers vulnerable to homelessness, unemployment, and social exclusion. IAN recommends a trauma-informed aftercare model, legislative changes, dedicated funding, housing priority, and structural reforms to Tusla and NGO services.

Intended results Establish a research-driven outcomes framework for care leavers. Achieve legislative reform: needs-based supports, guaranteed housing, extended aftercare to age 25, and decoupling financial aid from education requirements. Introduce a multi-annual, ring-fenced aftercare budget. Reinstate housing priority for care leavers and expand supported accommodation. Increase Tusla funding, cap caseloads at 20, and address funding inequities between statutory and NGO services.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Irish Aftercare Network

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Submission (1)

Submission of written recommendations and participation in consultation processes to influence policy development and implementation.The Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) invited the submission as part of the ongoing consultation process for the National Policy Framework on Alternative Care.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)