John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister will be aware that the Ombudsman for Children published a report last month which cites concerns that children in direct provision and other forms of accommodation are not safe. He wrote: “How we treat children coming to this country will be a defining issue of our generation, and as things stand, history will not judge us well.” While I welcome the measures in place in respect of IPAS accommodation, there are serious concerns for those who are BOTPs. Part of it is the over-reliance - and I understand we are under severe pressure - on private for-profit accommodation. That should not mean that the same protections are not in place for some 17,000 people under 18 years who have come from Ukraine to seek protection under our care. There are not the same safeguards in the context of Children First training or Garda vetting. There are serious concerns in that regard.

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