Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

129. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department monitors the needs of children in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21042/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, Direct Provision is under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. With regards to the welfare of children in Direct Provision centres, there are a range of supports available to families resident within the centres facilitated by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, as well as other bodies such as the Department of Education, Department of Social Protection, Department of Health and the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA).

The Child and Family Services unit within RIA that monitors the child and family services for asylum seekers is headed up by a seconded member of Tusla and links, where necessary, directly with An Garda Síochana. RIA and other State service providers, particularly the HSE and the Child and Family Agency, link in with Direct Provision centres to provide on-site monitoring of children and families through services including Public Health Nurse and GPs.

The needs of children in direct provision include education, child care such as preschool, medical and health issues. Tusla provide a range of services that offer advice and support to families. This includes family support workers, social workers, youth workers, family resource centres, support groups and counselling services. Preschools under Tusla have monitoring and inspection systems in place, according to national regulation and standards. While children living in Direct Provision are in their parents' care, any concerns about the welfare, safety or well-being of a child in Direct Provision are reported to the Child and Family Agency in line with Children First guidelines. Referrals include welfare concerns such as a parent being hospitalised, parental illness, a child being left unsupervised by an adult or mental health concerns regarding the parent, while a smaller number would relate to child protection concerns.

The Department of Justice and Equality has established a Working Group to review a range of issues pertaining to the protection process, including Direct Provision and supports to asylum seekers. The first meeting of the Working Group on the Protection Process was held on the 10th November 2014, chaired by Judge McMahon. A representative from my Department sits on this Working Group. I look forward to learning of the findings and recommendations of the Working Group in summer of 2015.

There has been correspondence between my Department and the CEO of the Child and Family Agency on Direct Provision, and this issue will be kept under review in the context of my overarching responsibility for child protection generally.