Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am saying that we have a resettlement programme that we negotiated with the United Nations. That programme enables us to take refugees on an annual basis. Already, in the latter half of this year, we will take Syrian refugees exclusively and 2014 will be devoted exclusively to Syrian refugees. At present we are talking in the region of between 25 to 30 refugees this year and 90 or thereabouts next year.

The Senator raised the issue of taking children on a temporary basis. If we were to do so then it would be a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality to decide whether to extend the current programme.

Only yesterday I think there was a debate in the European Union on the whole area of resettlement and it transpired that 12 countries in the EU are taking refugees for resettlement.