asked the Minister for Justice with regard to the taking to a place of safety of small itinerant children who may be liable to be ignored in the context of the court process if he is satisfied (a) that everything possible is being done to ensure that no hardship falls on the young children in this situation, (b) with the general implementation of present procedures and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Itinerant Children.
12.
I assume that what the Deputy has in mind is the danger of itinerant children being exposed to neglect or hardship in cases where the parents are in custody.
The Garda have instructions to the effect that when an itinerant parent is detained, the garda responsible for the detention should notify either the local itinerant settlement committee, the child welfare service of the local health board or the local ISPCC inspector, so that the interests of the child or children can be looked after.
Where it has not been possible for the Garda to establish in advance of the first court appearance whether the itinerant has any dependent children, they have instructions to seek a remand until this has been established. I understand from the Garda authorities that these arrangements are operating satisfactorily.
While he does not say so in the question, it may be that the Deputy is also concerned with the related problems of itinerant children wandering abroad, begging and sleeping rough. On that I would have to point out that these are social problems which are not primarily the concern of the Garda Síochána, although of course the Garda are anxious to, and do in fact, co-operate with the various agencies having direct responsibility in these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Dublin Corporation's Community and Environment Department have set up a special group of welfare officers to deal with these particular problems. I understand that this group are anxious to have the courts commit such children to residential care and the Garda have agreed to assist them to obtain the necessary evidence for application to the courts.
Is the Minister aware that sometimes the Garda are unable to contact such agencies and bodies at night with the result that the onus falls on the Garda who are not in a position to cope with this sort of situation? This is a constant problem for the Garda. Therefore, would the Minister, with the Minister for Health, arrange for the provision of a service on a 24-hour basis that would be available to the Garda?
I understand the difficulties in which gardaí sometimes find themselves in this regard.
They are acting as social workers in such cases.
I will take the matter up with the Minister for Health in order to find a way to improve the situation.