Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2015
335. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if individual families can offer shelter on a short-term or on a long-term basis to orphaned children from the Syrian crisis; how individual families can support, in a concrete way, families seeking refuge here from the Syrian crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39521/15]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that in respect of any offers of shelter from individual families to orphaned children from the Syrian crisis, the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, has primary responsibility under the Child Care Act, 1991 for the care of separated/orphaned or unaccompanied children (i.e. those under 18 years of age) seeking asylum in the State. In that regard, any persons deemed to be unaccompanied minors by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) are referred to Tusla under Section 8 of the Refugee Act, 1996.
On referral by the ORAC, Tusla determines whether it is in the child's interest to have an application for asylum made on their behalf. In the event that an application is made, I am advised that Tusla then assists the minor throughout the asylum process, including accompanying the minor during the course of their asylum interview. I am also advised that as a matter of policy Tusla generally places younger children with families although some older children are placed in regulated residential facilities that cater for small numbers. Any further information in this regard may be sought from my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. James Reilly, T.D.
In relation to the way in which individual families can support, in a concrete way, families seeking refuge here from the Syrian conflict, the Deputy may be aware that the Government has established a cross-Departmental and inter-Agency Irish Refugee Protection Programme Taskforce (IRPP), chaired by my Department, to deal with the operational and logistical aspects of the EU Resettlement and Relocation Programmes. The Taskforce is adopting a whole of Government approach and includes representatives of Government Departments, the HSE, the local authorities, the Red Cross and UNHCR in order to implement the Government's response to this crisis.
The Irish Red Cross has been specifically appointed to the Taskforce in its capacity as an auxiliary to the State in times of war and conflict, a role the Red Cross are undertaking all over the European Union and further afield. The Irish Red Cross have been asked by Government to coordinate non-commercial offers of accommodation, goods and services for refugees due to join our communities over the next two years. They have created an Irish Red Cross Register of Pledges which is an on-line system of recording solidarity by pledging accommodation, goods and services.
If a person has previously made a pledge elsewhere or wishes to make a pledge for the first time, I am advised that they simply log on to redcross.ie/solidaritypledges, fill in their personal details and an outline of their offer or they can directly contact the Irish Red Cross at 01 6424600. I understand that the Red Cross will hold individual pledges on the Irish Red Cross Register of Pledges and they will follow up to establish a suitable match.
I might add that the crisis is still developing and while it is anticipated that up to 20 asylum seekers may be relocated to Ireland before Christmas, it is likely to be early in the New Year before Ireland receives large numbers of persons under the relevant programmes. However, in the meantime, tangible offers of solidarity and support may be made to the Irish Red Cross as set out above or indeed other domestic charities who have responded to this unprecedented migration crisis.
