Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Earlier this year I published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service.

The new system has a particular focus on the needs of children who come to Ireland with their families or as unaccompanied minors. All staff working with applicants will undertake the ‘Children First’ e-Learning programme.

The White Paper commits local Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSCs) to developing a clear action-focused plan for the coordination and provision of services and supports from CYPSCs. Play facilities will also be available for children.

Tusla services will input into the key areas of provision, to include Prevention, Partnership and Family Support, and Educational Support Services. Unaccompanied minors will be prioritised to ensure a first decision before the applicant reaches 18.

The reform programme set out in the White Paper is comprehensive and will take time to implement. The measures relating specifically to children and young people will be undertaken in tandem with other measures as the programme progresses.

A staff team has been established in my Department to lead the transition to the new model and has developed a detailed implementation plan.

I have appointed a Programme Board that includes the Children’s Rights Alliance.

Working with the Housing Agency, my Department has begun to acquire the accommodation for Phase Two - that is, after people have completed their initial four-months in a Reception and Integration Centre and move into the community.

Work is continuing in parallel with this process to move families with children currently living in IPAS accommodation into own door or independent living accommodation, where possible.