Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 519: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No 271 of 30 March 2010 the rational behind RIA's policy to disperse asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors at age 18 to centres outside Dublin when they are in the process of further educational courses. [14789/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated in my response of 30 March, 2010, asylum seekers deemed to be unaccompanied minors by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) are referred to the HSE which has responsibility for their care under the Child Care Act, 1991 until they reach 18 years of age. Upon reaching that age, such 'aged out minors' are referred by the HSE to the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) for transfer to adult accommodation and service provision. In circumstances where the HSE deem such a person to be particularly vulnerable, the period in HSE care can be extended beyond 18 years of age.

It is RIA's policy to disperse aged-out minors to family oriented accommodation centres outside Dublin which have established links to HSE services and NGO supports. The rationale behind this policy, which was agreed between RIA and the HSE, is straightforward. Firstly, it relieves the pressure in the Dublin area on bed spaces and, more importantly, on health, education, therapeutic and welfare services. Secondly, it reduces the negative influences - crime, drug abuse and so on - that the big city environment in Dublin can have on aged out minors who have limited financial means and who have no family support. Thirdly, it provides a standardised and equitable approach to all asylum seekers over the age of 18 availing of RIA accommodation, thus ensuring fairness.