Seanad debates

Wednesday, 11 December 2019

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

10:30 am

Photo of Keith SwanickKeith Swanick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today, the faculty of paediatrics of the Royal College of Physicians called on the Government to abolish the system of direct provision for asylum seekers because the welfare of children is at stake. The author of the report issued today, Dr. Niamh O'Brien, stated the system is unethical, stigmatising and needs to end. Children in direct provision present with increased mental health issues and over-present to emergency departments with burns. These children are referred more frequently to Tusla than children in other settings.

Currently, there are more than 1,800 children in direct provision. The average waiting time in these centres is 14.3 months. While the waiting time has reduced, 14.3 months is still a lifetime for a child. The report's many recommendations include providing increased allowances for school and clothing expenses. I call on the Minister to consider establishing a specialised ring-fenced fund to enable these children to access psychological support. The mental trauma they are experiencing now will be carried forward into their adult lives. I am not sure if such a ring-fenced fund would be provided by the Department of Health or Department of Justice and Equality. Perhaps we could have a debate on this matter in the new year to protect these children and their mental stability and give them easy access to the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS. I have often said in the House that general practitioners should have 24-hour emergency access to allow them to pick up the phone to prevent a vulnerable suicidal teenager or adult from going to an accident and emergency department. While the recommendations of increased allowances for clothing and school expenses are welcome, a specialised ring-fenced fund to provide psychological support for these children would be an excellent idea.

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