Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know the Minister of State has given me the surrounding information. I do not need the surrounding information. I have all of the reports. I asked the specific question on what engagement the Department has had. The Minister of State has told me, and I appreciate it, that there will be a payment. Is this the payment as set out in the White Paper? Is this what the Minister of State is speaking about with regard to a new payment? When will it come into being for people? I say this very much conscious of the report of the Ombudsman. He hopes, and he asks, that this will be discussed such is his serious concern. He issued a special report following an investigative report. The Ombudsman reiterates concerns that in the circumstances he cannot be satisfied that IPAS's commitment to seek the use of commercial hotels will be met in the short to medium term.

He went on to say that he cannot be satisfied that sufficient regard has been had to the vulnerability of children. We are talking about thousands of children within the international protection process but only 10% of vulnerability assessments have been carried out. It is in this context that I am asking the question about the specific recommendation that a child payment be introduced. Has the Minister of State had a costing in relation to this measure? I appreciate the work the Department of Social Protection does. This country could not survive without the services provided by the Department.

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