Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which efforts are being made to identify and accommodate children deemed to be at risk, whether refugees or Irish nationals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15673/22]
View answer321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which his Department is satisfied that adequate services are available to children at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15676/22]
View answer327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which his Department has identified women and children deemed to be at risk; the extent to which adequate services have been made available to meet any such exigencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15683/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 318, 321 and 327 together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services.
If a child appears to be at risk of harm or neglect, the concerns should be reported to Tusla. Anyone can report a concern about a child to Tusla, and information on how to do so is available on the Tusla website. If a child is at immediate risk or in danger, An Garda Síochána (AGS) should be alerted without delay.
Tusla acts urgently on notification of an immediate risk to a child. Children who are in a situation of immediate risk may initially be dealt with by AGS or by Tusla, but in the main both agencies work together in such cases. Referrals to Tusla increased by 8% in 2021.
Gardaí have specific powers under Section 12 of the Child Care Act to remove a child from a situation of danger, and under Section 13 of that same act, to deliver that child into the custody of Tusla. Tusla will at that point carry out an assessment to determine the child's needs. This may in some cases include applying for an Emergency Care Order. In all cases, a plan will be put in place to ensure that the child is safe from harm. Where a child is already in care, Tusla will make a determination as to whether the child is safe in their placement or if they need to be moved.
Tusla has a dedicated social work team for Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP). Over the past 20 years the SCSIP Team has developed expertise through Ireland's participation in International Refugee Protection Programmes and by caring for separated children seeking international protection who arrive unannounced at Irish ports and airports.
SCSIP who arrive at ports of entry to Ireland are referred to Tusla for a child protection needs assessment. In the first instance, Tusla makes every attempt to contact relatives of the child and to reunite the child with family members or friends. If children cannot be reunified with family or friends, they are received into the care of Tusla.
These children are placed by Tusla either in small specialist residential care centres, or with specifically recruited foster families under a Fáilte Foster care programme. The children are automatically entitled as children in care to a medical card and access to education services. In addition, a Social Worker is allocated to them to develop a care plan and monitor the progress of the child/young persons care. The care plan may involve specialist English language tuition, intensive educational supports and therapeutic work in respect of trauma.
The basis for care of a SCSIP is different from the general child in care population as they are received into care for protection and welfare reasons due to their separation from their primary carers, which can be as a consequence of war or persecution. Children who arrive in Ireland outside of a dedicated refugee programme are supported in their application for refugee status.
Assisting children with reunification with their families has evolved to be a key piece of the support social workers provide to those who are eligible to apply. Where relevant the process of reunification is started as soon as the young people come to the attention of Tusla.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Government launched a public awareness campaign on domestic abuse during COVID-19 with a new website stillhere.ie. The campaign was developed by the Department of Justice in collaboration with frontline services including Women's Aid, Safe Ireland, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Rape Crisis Network Ireland, National Women's Council of Ireland and Men's Development Network. The campaign sought to reassure victims that services are 'still here', and that victims are being prioritised. The website stillhere.ie has details of support services, including recourse to AGS, for anyone at risk or experiencing domestic abuse in their home.
