Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 September 2018
207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which her Department can ensure the protection of children of refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38267/18]
View answerThe Child Care Act, 1991 applies to all children resident in the State, regardless of their immigration status. Under the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care or protection.
In some circumstances a person seeking refugee in this country, with their children, may avail of the Direct Provision system, while their application is being considered.
Children living in Direct Provision are provided with welfare supports as required. Direct Provision Centre managers are categorised as Designated Persons under Children First, and so are required to make mandatory reports of concerns relating to children resident in their centres; Direct Provision Centres are also required to have child safeguarding statements and practices in place.
A senior social worker from Tusla is seconded to the Reception and Integration Agency, providing social work advice to the Agency, and working directly with Direct Provision Centres to develop their child safeguarding practices and links to community supports.
Concerns about the welfare, safety or well-being of a child in direct provision are reported to Tusla, in line with Children First Legislation. A range of professionals including teachers, nurses, early years educators, gardaí and other health professionals, who see children regularly, are in a good position to identify children where there are welfare or safety issues.
The Children First Act, 2015 places a statutory obligation on key professionals, such as those named, to report concerns of harm above a defined threshold, to Tusla without delay.
Unaccompanied asylum seeking children who seek the assistance of the State are placed in the statutory care of Tusla. Their needs are assessed by an allocated a social worker from a specialist team who work exclusively with unaccompanied minors. They receive appropriate educational, social and medical counselling support.
