Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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49. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 2 of 14 December 2016, her views on the length of time children will spend in State care before they can be fostered by families and while all necessary protocols need to be addressed. [6760/17]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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My question is a follow up to a previous one. What length of time will a child spend in State care before he or she can be fostered by families and while all the necessary protocols are being put in place?

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Deputy's question last December referred to unaccompanied minors who are received into State care and remain in care until they are 18, whatever their placement type. Tusla is determined to provide a high level of service for unaccompanied children. In order to best meet their needs, all children on arrival in the State are placed in small residential assessment units so that social workers can get to know them and understand their needs. I visited one of these units with EU Commissioner Jourová and was very impressed with the facilities and services available and in meeting the young men there. The assessment period is usually in the range of six to eight weeks, but it can be shorter where preliminary work is carried out before the child arrives or where the child's the needs are not very complex. Assessments are wide ranging and take into account age, language, health and well being, cultural or religious requirements and evaluations of the child's emotional state and mental health. Tusla also tries to identify any family or relations with whom the child might be reunited.

As I noted previously, the equity of care principle that each child receives the same as any other child ensures that services focus on the needs of the child. The child will have a care plan developed to match identified needs. Unaccompanied minors, therefore, receive the same level of protection and care as any other child in State care. There is no differentiation of care provision, practices, care priorities, standards or protocols. Tusla's foster and statutory residential services are subject to inspection, including services for unaccompanied minors. If an unaccompanied minor is to remain in Tusla's care, a foster family will be considered if it is in the best interests of the child. Tusla arranges for training and support for foster families to address the child's cultural and religious identity. For some, however, it is likely that a residential setting may be better suited to meet the identified needs.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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We can all sympathise with the plight of some unaccompanied minors, especially those fleeing war zones, starvation or other particularly difficult situations. Moving those young people into as normal a family life as possible must be the priority. I listened to what the Minister said about the timeframe and it appears to be improving between needs assessment and actual placement. What number of foster parents and families is willing to foster or adopt? In the last Dáil, we had a lot of correspondence from Irish couples and individuals who wanted to foster or adopt from other countries but were unable to do so because certain protocols and agreements were not in place. Does the Department have a waiting list of parents or is there a shortage of parents who are prepared to foster and adopt?

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I was asked about the waiting lists for unaccompanied minors and whether there were foster families for them.

In the case of unaccompanied minors who come through the former Calais route or those coming through other routes, the older they are the better it is for them to have an additional assessment in terms of residential settings. Such a setting may be supported lodgings because they are older, more independent and look for that kind of support which is provided by Tusla. If people are interested in fostering unaccompanied minors, having heard they are coming to Ireland, particular training is available for that. We would welcome people identifying their interest in that.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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I want to acknowledge the progress that has been made. There were some significant cases of reunification outlined in the previous reply. I also want to acknowledge improvements. At the age of 18, at a time when they could have been in the middle of doing their leaving certificate course in a school in Dublin, young people were moved outside of Dublin.

The Minister opened the YPAR conference and met many young unaccompanied minors and other young people. Their status is a major issue because it will determine whether they can go onto third level, can work, etc. Some are in a state of limbo. They said they feel like ghosts because they do not have the correct status. They have been able to get through primary and secondary level education, but because of their starters third level is not an option. Even those who have funding for PLC courses develop skills but cannot work. I am not referring to those in direct provision alone; rather, I am also referring to other unaccompanied minors the Minister met. We have to address the issue of status.

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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In terms of ensuring we provide the kind of security and base out of which they can continue to live in this country and look for education, training and employment opportunities, I agree with the Deputy. I would be happy to meet her and others in the community to examine these issues.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the issue of status is not something for which I am directly responsible. On reaching the age of 18, many decide to stay with their foster families and Tusla supports that in all sorts of different ways. If they decide to move on, we are then in the arena of after care plans which we discussed earlier in terms of whether individual plans are in place. Tusla makes every effort to ensure there is engagement and support for young people as they move beyond 18 years of age. As I said, the issue of status lays the foundations for security and opportunities and entitlements. I appreciate they are issues and would be happy to continue to discuss them.