Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2005
428 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of unaccompanied non-national minors in the education system here; the schools they attend; the ages at which each non-national minor entered the education system; the present age of each non-national minor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38729/05]
View answerUnaccompanied non-national minors are referred by the immigration authorities on arrival to this country to the relevant Health Service Executive personnel who respond to their needs in accordance with the Child Care Act 1991 and the Refugee Act 1996. They remain in the care of the HSE until they reach 18 years of age. My Department does not have access to statistics relating to the ages of unaccompanied non-national minors nor does it have details of the schools they attend.
