Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for her reply on this matter. The key issue at stake here is how we deal with unaccompanied minors, that is, those presenting as children with no parents along with them, coming in to this country. As the Minister stated, the numbers have decreased, from over 1,000 in 2001 to just 105 last year. However, of the 79 unaccompanied minors in State care as of January this year, only eight had guardians appointed.

An issue of particular concern is that, between 2000 and 2010, 512 unaccompanied children seeking asylum went missing from the HSE. Of those, only 72 have been found, which means that 440 of those 512 children who disappeared from the care of the State in those ten years have never been found. My concern is that we ensure we look after those children and they get the proper care, but also that we ensure our country is not open to those who might want to engage in child trafficking. When so many children come into the country and then disappear - as I stated, 440 in ten years - not to be found by the HSE, that gives rise to serious concerns as to the safety of this country and ensuring it is secure from child traffickers. Although I would not in any way suggest that such activity is what is going on in the majority of these cases, it is something about which we must be careful. According to the Immigrant Council of Ireland, there is some evidence that child trafficking is taking place. What does the Minister plan to do to ensure the safety of children presenting in this country?

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