Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Department of Justice and Equality has the primary responsibility for asylum and immigration. There is a target for 4,000 refugees to be brought in under the Irish refugee protection programme. So far, 439 have come from Lebanon. The quota for 2016 of 500 is expected to be reached. Up to 260 refugees will be added to that in the first half of 2017. All of these developments are welcome.

However, when we look at the Greek situation, my information is that, up to last week, we have 69 Syrians with 40 more cleared for arrival, as soon as the International Organisation for Migration has the travel arrangements made. It is a small number in that regard. The Tánaiste touched on the Italian situation. I am conscious of the efforts of officials and the Minister of State, the former Chairman of this committee, Deputy David Stanton, and wish them every success. Deputy Daly is not just expressing a personal view. There is a sense among many that we need to move up a gear. I am of one mind with that. I welcome the fact the Tánaiste has said that is her intention and expectation. We are not at loggerheads here but about getting the job done.

On the issue of unaccompanied minors, I note the Tánaiste said Calais is not included under the Irish refugee protection programme. Only last week, the French President, François Hollande, indicated he intends to disperse the thousands congregated in the Calais camp in three weeks to 164 new and different locations across France. There are a significant number of young children and minors at this camp. We know up to 10,000 minors have disappeared across Europe, are untraceable and we are not able to determine what has happened to them. We have questions about a number of minors and children who presented in Ireland and it is not known where they are. My concern is that this dispersal planned by the French President, François Hollande, will add to that number and we will lose young people and knowledge about them into the ether. Is there anything we can do about this specific cohort of unaccompanied minors?

The House of Commons recently passed an amendment to its Immigration Bill, tabled by the Labour peer, Lord Alf Dubs, committing the British Government to accept a significant number of unaccompanied minors. As to whether the current Prime Minister there, Theresa May, and her Government have shown any appetite to follow it through is another matter. The critical point is that it has made the decision and it is passed into law. Are any amendments required to existing legislation here that could contribute positively to our focusing with greater intent on the relocation of unaccompanied minors from across the various sites in Europe to Ireland? It demonstrated itself in the neighbouring island. Is there any such need regarding legislation on our Statute Book?

Tusla's preference in this regard is for the 13 to 15 year old age group. We are advised that Ireland has requested four unaccompanied minors from Greece in the next tranche to be interviewed by Irish officials in October. Deputy Daly indicated we have had only one from Greece so far. Essentially, only one child has met the requested profile. Is the requested profile prepared and presented by Tusla? Is it limited to age or are there other factors involved in the profile? Do other factors militate against other children coming to our shores? Is there anything that can be done in a re-examination of Tusla's preference which might accommodate a greater take-up? Can the Tánaiste offer us any information in this regard? It is to be hoped we are all on the one page in terms of our collective intent.