Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2021
179. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will cease the practice of relocating unaccompanied minors whose application for international protection is still being processed when they turn 18 to adult reception centres via direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32500/21]
View answer189. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the practice of where unaccompanied children who come to Ireland to seek asylum are being removed from their foster families and placed in direct provision when they turn eighteen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32480/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 189 together.
Thank you Deputy for highlighting this issue.
All children in care are involved in developing their aftercare plan in the years and months coming up to their 18th birthday when, as legal adults, they are no longer in the statutory care of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The specialist team working with these children and young adults, the Separated Children's Team, is fully aware of and attentive to their aspirations and needs, especially for those whom their application for international protection has not yet been decided.
As you will know, applications for international protection are processed through the Department of Justice. The Separated Children Team helps the children in their care to apply for international protection, they also provide assistance in completing applications for family reunification. Having decisions relating to their status made as early as possible is crucially important, however, some children arrive in their 17th year and their application may not be processed before they reach their majority.
The vast majority of children in receipt of a service from Tusla's Separated Children team receive some form of residency permission before they are 18, and as such, will not avail of direct provision. If a care leaver is waiting for a final decision on their international protection application, and they turn 18 years of age, they may be referred to the IPAS for accommodation.
Tusla’s current practice; where a young person is deemed to be exceptionally vulnerable, they may continue to be accommodated in a Tusla residential centre or in their foster placement.
In Budget 2021, I secured an additional €5m for Tusla to provide dedicated services to accelerate the intake of children from Greek refugee camps. Tusla officials have developed a suite of care options to include expansion of residential care placements and development of specialist foster care placements. The suite of additional services included additional aftercare supports for separated young people in aftercare.
At the end of 2020 there were 64 children under 18 in the care of the Separated Children Seeking International Protection Team in Tusla and a further 93 young adults between the ages of 18 and 22 were in receipt of an aftercare service.
The impact of the cyber-attack on Tusla systems continues to be felt. Tusla continues to provide a vital service and is working hard to restore their IT systems and access to information. When proper access is restored I will ensure that you are provided with more detail on this matter.
