Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 94: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the large number of children who enter here unaccompanied and subsequently disappear; the measures she intends to take to safeguard against such disappearances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3569/06]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, HSE, under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated.

The HSE advises that it has a system in place to notify the appropriate authorities with regard to missing children or young people. The largest number of the young people reported missing were residing in the eastern region, where there is an agreed template for reporting such an occurrence to the Garda, who are responsible for investigating. This template includes a photograph and physical description. The following agencies and personnel are also notified: Garda National Immigration Bureau, which monitors overall patterns and provide relevant information to local gardaí; child care manager, for circulation to CCM colleagues nationally; supt. community welfare officer, asylum seekers unit, for flagging on the national social welfare record system; Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, for circulation to other relevant asylum process agencies.

The child's name is added to the missing persons database in the separate children seeking asylum office. In some Garda districts, there are now regular reviews of missing children. At present the majority of separated children seeking asylum are accommodated in hostel type accommodation. This type of accommodation provides full board but does not include child care supports. Staffing levels reflect the need to meet minimum standards under fire safely legislation and do not include professional child care staff as part of the contract with proprietors. The specific child care and child protection elements of the service are provided by a dedicated social work team.

I can advise that, on 7 December 2005, my office met with the social services inspectorate and the HSE to discuss the issue of accommodation standards for separated children seeking asylum. It was agreed at the meeting that the standards for children in residential care will apply to accommodation for separated children 16 years of age and under. With regard to accommodation for those in the 17 to 18 year age group the same standards will apply, subject to guidance notes which are being drafted by the SSI in consultation with the HSE.

I am also advised by the HSE that currently there are a number of separated children in foster care and these arrangements are very satisfactory in terms of the service provided and the level of support offered to the children who benefit from them. In most cases these placements are taken up by the youngest or otherwise most vulnerable of the client group. In addition, six children are accommodated in a fully registered children's home in Tallaght. These children are cared for by a full, professionally qualified child care staff.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the HSE commissioned a review of services provided to separated children seeking asylum or unaccompanied minors in 2005. I have received a copy of this report which is under examination in my office and in that regard I have asked that an interdepartmental working group be established to consider the issues involved.