Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for outlining the proposals in such a clear fashion. We all absolutely support them and welcome what she has said about the benefits they are likely to bring for voluntary projects, in particular. I echo what Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said about the concerns raised by the Irish Refugee Council. Will the increased funding available go some way towards addressing a number of the issues involved? I refer, in particular, to the children in direct provision centres. Some years ago I was involved with the Free Legal Advice Centres which, with several children's rights organisations, were seeking to ensure the children of refugees and asylum seekers would be entitled to child benefit on the same basis as any other child in the State. In the light of the recent referendum on children's rights, is there any prospect of such a eventuality coming to pass? Again, I welcome the proposals made.