David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I will speak to amendment No. 12 which the select committee discussed in detail on Committee Stage. Free legal aid centres contacted Deputies expressing concern that the parents of certain children resident in the State have few resources to provide necessities. Although they receive food and a roof over their heads, they also have other needs. Some of the children in question have been here for considerable periods and may end up living here permanently. The free legal aid centres are concerned that such children may suffer from deprivation which could impact on their later lives. For this reason, they seek to have child benefit extended to all children in the State, including those living in asylum centres and direct provision accommodation. While asylum seekers may avail of exceptional needs payments and so forth, it is bizarre that children may be suffering deprivation through no fault of their own. I ask the Minister to ensure no child suffers as a result of the circumstances in which they find themselves.

I presume many of the families concerned will be given permission to remain here. Several years ago, a group of bishops sought an amnesty for families who had been living here for lengthy periods. While I am not sure we should fully adopt such a policy, the decision-making procedure for dealing with asylum claims must be speeded up to ensure people are not sent back to their country of origin after living here for extended periods and becoming almost naturalised. This practice is a major wrench for those involved. The Minister will probably tell us it is an issue we must keep under review. What is in place to ensure these children are not suffering through poverty or deprivation?

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