Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I speak for many when I say I find it impossible to understand the reason the Government has been so slow in accepting unaccompanied child migrants and migrants in general. The Minister may be aware that when I was Tánaiste I reached an agreement with the Taoiseach that Ireland would accept approximately 4,000 people and would have the services in place to facilitate this number.

The plight of migrant children, many of whom have experienced extraordinary difficulties on the journey to Europe, speaks to everybody. I cannot understand the constant references to reviews and talking to people. While I accept the Minister's bona fides in this matter, why is it necessary to engage in constant reviews with Tusla?

Many children are in need of protection. I acknowledge that many of them have never heard of Ireland and that this may be an issue because most of them want to reach the United Kingdom. If children are brought to Ireland, will they be facilitated, to the greatest possible degree, in foster care? Will the Minister provide a guarantee that they will not be placed, alone and friendless, in direct provision centres and will not be institutionalised?

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