Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I was only a Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children for half of the previous year. I fail to see how I could be credited with positive development that occurred in the previous year. The more serious issue raised by Deputy Naughten is the location of appropriate accommodation for children separated or seeking asylum. The anti-human trafficking unit in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has a working group dealing with human trafficking, with representatives from the Garda Síochána, the HSE and NGOs. I have committed to ensuring that the closing of hostels is accompanied by a forum representing the HSE, the Garda Síochána and the NGOs. This process can draw on the knowledge of stakeholders and the experience of anyone who has something positive to contribute so the transition from inadequate accommodation to the fulfilment of the commitment to close hostels by the end of 2010 is done with the best interests of children at heart.

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