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Message Text:

Dear (each candidate will get a separate, personalised email),

I am reaching out to ask for your support for a critical issue affecting children and young people in our community – the need for safe, stable homes for children in care and young care-leavers.

As you may know, many children in state care face instability and uncertainty, with too many being placed in short-term emergency arrangements. Additionally, one in five care-leavers engaged with EPIC Empowering People in Care’s National Advocacy Service in 2023 was experiencing homelessness. This situation is unacceptable and demands immediate action.

I urge you to support the following measures EPIC has called for:

1. Fund and implement a national strategy on alternative care that will:

•	End the use of Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs) within the lifetime of the government. 
•	Protect and expand the foster care system. 
•	Ensure most residential care is provided by public services instead of private companies. 
•	Return Special Care Units to full capacity. Re-establish step-down facilities to help children transition smoothly when leaving special care. 
•	Recruit and train enough qualified professionals to support children in care.

2. Act on care-leaver homelessness by expanding the Capital Assistance Scheme and acquiring more properties for young care-leavers transitioning to independent living.

These measures would make a real difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our community. I hope you will consider including them in your election commitments and advocating for them in government.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter. I look forward to your response and to hearing your commitment to safe homes for children in care and young care-leavers.

Yours sincerely
etc,

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Dáil Candidates for Tipperary North

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