Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is not alone in his concerns for unaccompanied minors. The Tánaiste and I share these concerns and have acted upon them. Unaccompanied minors are an especially vulnerable group and we expect the issue will remain high on the agenda at EU level. I have already stated the measures we are taking under the Irish refugee protection programme to take unaccompanied minors from Greece under the EU relocation programme. Officials from the Department of Justice and Equality and Tusla are working hard to overcome the remaining barriers with the Greek authorities.

The relocation of unaccompanied minors is a complex and sensitive process involved in various aspects of European and domestic law. Any actions taken regarding this vulnerable group must have the principles of the best interests of the child and protection of the family reunification at their core. I must reiterate that all migrants in Calais, including unaccompanied minors, are entitled to apply for asylum in France, and applicants for asylum would also commence the process under the Dublin regulation by which an application may be legally transferred to another member state to have their application determined under certain prescribed criteria, including for family reunion.

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