Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Cairns. The agenda item for consideration this afternoon is the challenges facing refugee and migrant children in Ireland. This afternoon we are joined by representatives from the Department of Education, Mr. Tomás Ó Ruairc, assistant secretary, and Ms Linda Ramsbottom, senior inspector. From Tusla, we are joined by Ms Kate Duggan, who is the interim chief executive officer; Ms Clare Murphy, who is the national director of services and integration; and Ms Lorna Kavanagh, area manager of national services and integration. From the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, MASI, we are joined by Ms Sharon Mpofu - I apologise if I am pronouncing any of the names incorrectly - who is the Wicklow co-ordinator and Ms Vepuu Tjazerua, who is the chief executive officer. From Safetynet Primary Care, we are joined by Dr. Alva Ó Dalaigh, migrant health GP lead and Dr. Fiona O'Reilly, chief executive officer. We are also joined by Dr. Aoibhinn Walsh, consultant paediatrician with a special interest in inclusion health. They are all very welcome to the meeting.

Before witnesses go through their opening statements, I will go through the normal housekeeping matters. I advise anyone joining us on Teams that the chat function is only to make us aware of technical issues or urgent matters and not to make general statements or comments. I remind members of the constitutional requirement to be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I cannot permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any members partaking via Teams to make us aware they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

In advance of inviting the witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I will advise them of the following in relation to parliamentary privilege. Witnesses participating from the committee room are reminded of the longstanding parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of a person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

There will be a five-minute slot for opening statements per group, which will be followed by questions from members of the committee. We will start with Mr. Tomás Ó Ruairc from the Department of Education.