Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The best thing to do is to move these children across the borders with neighbouring countries and to provide supports there. With regard to intellectual disability, I am again getting advice from those who know best. If we can support measures in that area in any way, we will. Where people arrive in Ireland who have a disability, whether physical, intellectual or sensory, there is an initial screening with the HSE. We then seek to link such people in with services here.

The Senator alluded to the large-scale movement of groups of people to Ireland. It is always best that notice be provided to statutory bodies in advance of such movements. I refer to the HSE, Tusla, my Department and the Department of Justice. It is always far better that anything like that, such as the chartering of a plane, bus or van, be done in that context. Unaccompanied minors in particular should not be moved across international borders in any circumstances. There has been great generosity and a great desire to do good here. I absolutely recognise that but unaccompanied children should not be moved across international borders. I hope that all organisations interested in and passionate about this area will work with statutory authorities.