Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to assure the Deputy that I have visited some centres and engaged with children in the company of their parents or guardians. While the rate of payments for children living in State-provided accommodation is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these payments have increased twice in the past two years, from €9.60 to €15.10 per child in January 2016 and to €21.60 from September of this year. All children or adults within the protection process who are resident in State-provided accommodation are now paid the same rate of allowance.

These payments should be considered within the context that the families living in State-provided accommodation do not have the same level of expenses which other persons who are dependent on social welfare may have, such as rent, utility bills, food costs, prescription costs and so on. Such costs are covered in full by the Government for persons living in the direct provision system.

In regard to children who may be vulnerable, I take the issue of child welfare and protection very seriously. It is important to outline that parents and guardians who live in State-provided accommodation centres have primary responsibility for the care and welfare of their children. Unaccompanied minors in the State fall within the remit of Tusla.

The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, of my Department has a child and family services unit. Its role is to manage, deliver, co-ordinate, monitor and plan all matters relating to child and family services for all persons residing in centres and to act as a conduit between RIA and the Tusla. The unit is headed by a manager seconded from the Tusla.

The unit's main functions and responsibilities are to monitor and implement the RIA child protection policy, working in close partnership with the child protection and welfare service of Tusla nationally. It works in partnership with many NGOs and Tusla on important issues.

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