Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
121. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unaccompanied minors or separated children currently seeking asylum in the State; and the types of care settings they are in, that is, foster care, residential care, emergency accommodation and so on. [55426/23]
View answerTusla has a dedicated social work team that supports unaccompanied minors seeking international protection, referred to as the 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, including airports.
As of the 7th of December 2023 there are 316 unaccompanied children in the care of the State. Of these there are 29 in foster care, 26 in supported lodgings, 61 in residential settings and 200 in special emergency placements.
There is a growth in provision of the service regarding residential units as follows, 52 additional beds to date in 2023 with proposed of 72 in total for 2023 and 56 additional beds for Quarter 1 2024. Tusla have indicated that despite the increase in beds available the demand for special emergency accommodation will continue.
