Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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37. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied with the services offered by her Department to non-national children, in particular those in direct provision; and her plans to allocate additional resources to non-national children residing here. [31164/17]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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My question relates to services for non-national children, particularly those living in direct provision. Will additional resources be put in place for non-national children in direct provision or other settings?

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Every child residing in Ireland, whether he or she was born in Ireland or has relocated here, is entitled to equal access to services.

The Deputy specifically mentioned children living in the direct provision system, for which the Minister for Justice and Equality has responsibility. Children living in direct provision remain in the care of their parents. If any concern is raised regarding the safety, well-being and welfare of a child living in direct provision it is reported to Tusla and the case is treated as any other referral would be. Tusla has located an experienced team leader child protection social worker to the Reception and Integration Agency to better support access to Tusla services for vulnerable families in direct provision and to provide advice and guidance to staff working in direct provision.

Under the Dáil resolution of 10 November 2016, we have committed to bringing separated children seeking asylum to Ireland. This vulnerable cohort requires specialist support and care and Tusla has supports and facilities in place to identify, access and receive separated children seeking asylum.

Up until the end of June, we have received 22 young people under this programme, all boys between the ages of 13 and 17 years. They come from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Syria and South Sudan.

Separated children seeking asylum may also come to Ireland through the Irish refugee protection programme. My Department has joint responsibility with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to identify and provide supports for separated children seeking asylum who are part of this relocation programme. So far, six children and young people from Iraq and Syria have been received into care. A child may also present at an Irish port of entry seeking asylum. In this instance, he or she will be referred to Tusla for assessment and appropriate care.

To best meet their needs, all children on arrival in the State are placed in a small residential assessment unit to ensure social workers can get to know them and understand their needs.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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I was not particularly looking at services of social workers and non-national children living in direct provision centres but also those children living in appalling private rented accommodation. I know that we have responsible landlords, but, unfortunately, I have seen some appalling private rented accommodation in which there is serious overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. I was thinking of children living in these settings who do not have the access to the activities and services of which other children can avail. I am thinking of sports, arts, music and drama. Just this morning, I was in a family resource centre in Dublin 1. It is working with families who come from direct provision centres. There is play therapy and a summer project available for the children. It also connects the dots with various other services that the children need. My question was about access to the other activities and services our children have which are difficult to access for those in direct provision centres.

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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That is a good example. My understanding is there are efforts aimed at outreach and engagement in other settings. That is what we want and hope to do. As well as the education and welfare supports children in direct provision centres require, Tusla has a commitment to the principle that every child residing in Ireland should have equal access to services, regardless of nationality or status. Places such as family resource centres provide resources to do this. The Deputy’s story will help me to go back and ensure it is happening in other places also.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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The resource centre in question did organise an event last Friday entitled, We Belong. It looked at people who were living in the area with foreign nationals and providing the same range of services and activities for all of them. There are parts of the Dublin Central constituency where the non-national population is more than 51%. As the Minister addressed a conference in the Gresham recently, she knows the ongoing work being done on the issue of integration. For organisations such as the family resource centres, a little extra funding, particularly at holiday time, would help in including children from direct provision centres or other non-national children and allow them to have access to those outings and activities in which Irish children take part. That was the point my question sought to address.

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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We all believe children have an integral right to belong. I agree that it would be good if we could increase resources for family resource centres for the many other reasons raised by the Deputy but also because of the work they do with Irish children.