Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Many social workers have raised concerns about the lack of inter-agency co-operation between the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. This has a negative impact on their ability to serve children seeking asylum. It is in direct contravention to the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2001, which asks all Government Departments and agencies to collaborate in the protection of children. For example, Tusla social care workers highlighted that many children seeking asylum are deported with very little warning. There is no engagement with the social care worker. It is wrong and very worrying. The open nature of direct provision means sometimes children can be exposed to unsuitable persons and behaviours. We all accept that direct provision can be an inherently stressful experience causing additional mental health and educational issues. The opportunity for children to go on to further education is hugely important. Unaccompanied minors who are placed in foster care are discharged from State care at 18 years old and, essentially, must enter direct provision or be entirely cut off from State support. While the Department maintains that these minors have the same right to an aftercare plan as any other child in foster care, that is far from the reality. Will the Minister consider those issues? Are there any steps she will take to alleviate those challenges?

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