Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1709. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will clarify a matter (details supplied) regarding the cost of accommodating persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1695/17]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1710. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on a media report (details supplied) regarding the costs associated with the relocation of unaccompanied minors from France; if she will provide a detailed breakdown of the allocation of these funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1754/17]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1711. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the costs associated with the resettlement of all minors from the former migrant camp at Calais; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1798/17]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1712. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she is taking to ensure all child refugees or migrants from the former camp at Calais are minors below the age of 18, particularly in view of the fact that all bogus assertions of child status will result in genuine children being deprived of assistance or help (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1799/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1709 to 1712, inclusive, together.

As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am deeply concerned by the plight of the young people who were in the Calais camp, and particularly the many unaccompanied minors who were at the frontline of this terrible situation.

The All Party Dáil motion approved by Government on 10 November last called on the Government to work with the French authorities to identify up to 200 unaccompanied minors previously living in the unofficial migrant camp in Calais, and who have expressed a desire to come and stay in Ireland.

On 5 January 2017, officials from my Department, Tusla and the Department of Justice and Equality travelled to Paris to meet their counterparts to further progress the arrival of an initial group of 40 of these young people. They will only be relocated to Ireland if it is their express wish to do so and it is clearly in their best interest. They will receive an equitable care and aftercare service relative to Irish young people.

An initial group of 16 young people have been identified by French officials to be the first to go through the assessment process to come to Ireland. The latest information is that all of the young people who have expressed an interest in coming to Ireland are boys of 16 and 17 years of age.

Tusla has advised that the young people will need residential assessment, and then, in the majority of cases, a residential placement until they are 18 when aftercare supports will be provided. In the first instance, given the age and recent experiences of the young people, it is likely that they will need the services that residential care can provide. Residential care carries a significant resource requirement and is therefore costly.

Tusla's most recent estimate indicates an overall full year cost to it for approximately 40 young people will be almost €8m based on initial costings pending completion of needs assessments for the young people. The costs are similar to the costs incurred for residential care services generally.