Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for raising those matters. Clearly, the whole international refugee crisis is one of the biggest challenges of our time, with 65 million people on the move across the world and huge numbers having arrived in Europe having crossed the Mediterranean and having used other routes, and it is one of the biggest crises that the EU has faced in terms of its response.

Regarding President Trump, I would have a huge concern about a blanket ban on refugees. I met the Syrian Support Group in Ireland yesterday and to hear the individual stories about what those families have been through and their relatives who still remain in Aleppo and other parts of Syria and who are spread around the world at this point is absolutely heart-breaking. We all have to reach out as much as we possibly can. In that regard, Ireland's commitment was a proactive one within the European Union. We were not under any obligation to take refugees, although I think everybody would agree that it was the right thing to do. We have approximately 80 Syrians arriving every few weeks in Ireland. When I meet those families, the first thing the vast majority of them ask is when their children can start school. They have the same wishes and hopes that every other family in this country would have.

We have been very fortunate in this country that we have not seen extreme views expressed and that communities are supportive of those who arrive on our shores. Approximately 95,000 people have been naturalised in recent years and we have had quite a number of asylum seekers arrive here.

Many improvements have been made in regard to direct provision but I accept that there is ongoing work to be done. We have a new International Protection Act which simplifies the procedure for those coming through. The status of those who are arriving now is dealt with within six to ten weeks and then we have to deal with the issues around housing and education and so on. There are particular issues in regard to children and my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Zappone, has been intent on ensuing any unaccompanied minors who we bring into this country get comprehensive services. I examined this issue in detail some years ago and there have been great improvements, as the Deputy will know, within the HSE in terms of the way that unaccompanied minors are now dealt with, where they live with foster families instead of in hostels. That is quite a dramatic change from the way these young children were being dealt with. I take the point that the Deputy made.

We launched the new migrant integration strategy two days ago, which was welcomed by all of the groups working in this area. That has been well received but we have to make sure it is implemented.

I certainly will examine the details of the Immigrant Council of Ireland's report in regard to young people. We want to offer these young people and newly arrived immigrants, refugees and migrants the very best services we can offer both at a national level and a local level. Much will depend on local services responding appropriately and reaching out to these families in order that they get the health and education services they need and the English language training. That is happening for these new arrivals.

See this speech in context