Written answers

Wednesday, 14 December 2016

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

62. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of unaccompanied minors here; and the supports her department has in place to assist them. [40182/16]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In 2016, Tusla has received a total of 112 referrals of unaccompanied asylum seeking minors (UAM) up to the beginning of December. There are currently 66 UAMs in statutory care, and 74 young adults are accessing aftercare support with the assistance of an allocated aftercare work. 27 children who were received into care were subsequently, following full checks, reunited with their families. A further 19 children referred to Tusla were found to be either over 18, or an inappropriate referral.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, receives unaccompanied minors into State care . These young people are a vulnerable cohort and the State is duty bound by international and domestic law to protect and provide care. Under Tusla’s Equity of Care principle, unaccompanied minors receive the same level of protection and care as any other child in State care, and ensures that there is no differentiation of care provision, care practices, care priorities, standards or protocols.

When a child arrives into Ireland without their parents or customary care providers, contact is made with Tusla’s dedicated Social Work Team for Separated Children Seeking Asylum (SCSA) and the child is placed in the care of the State.Each unaccompanied minor is allocated a social worker. They are accommodated initially in one of three short term residential intake units while they continue their needs assessment, including age assessment, health, educational and language needs. Following this, children are placed according to their needs either with registered foster carers, in community based residential settings or in supported lodgings. Children are provided with intensive language and educational supports.

All foster care organisations and statutory residential centres are inspected by the Health Information & Quality Authority (HIQA), and private and voluntary residential centres are inspected by Tusla against national standards. The inspection reports are published on the respective websites. Children First (2011) applies to unaccompanied minors, and all persons employed full-time or part-time by Tusla are vetted by An Garda Síochána as a matter of standard practice, as are those employed by the appointed interpretation service.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.