Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Missing Children

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2012

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Ceisteanna (546)

Ciara Conway

Ceist:

562 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of minors that have been reported missing from the care system in 2010 and 2011; the number that were found and re-entered the system; the age profile and country of origin of each of these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31613/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I presume the Deputy's question relates to separated children seeking asylum who go missing while in the care of the state. In this regard, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised me that thirteen separated children seeking asylum were reported missing from care in 2010. Eight of these young people returned to care, while five young adults who are aged between 18 and 21 years are still missing. Three of the young people reported missing were from Nigeria, two each from Somalia, Afghanistan and South Africa and the others were from China, Brazil, Algeria and Albania.

During 2011, 6 young people were reported missing, all of whom are still missing. Three are aged seventeen, one is eighteen and two are nineteen years. Two of these young people were from China, the others were from Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and Bangladesh.

The HSE and the Garda National Immigrant Bureau have a Joint National Protocol on Children who go missing from care and have held meetings between their respective management to identify risk, share information and work cooperatively in respect to this group of children. The parties to the meetings include Local Garda Inspectors, GMIB Inspectors, Social Workers engaged in after hours and separated children seeking asylum teams.

The steps taken to address risk issues in relation to separated children include collaborative interviewing at points of entry between the Garda and social workers and planned surveillance of those at risk of going missing from the point of entry to the initial period in placement and a range of other activities undertaken by An Garda Síochána. The HSE and An Garda Síochána continue to intensify joint efforts to prevent separated children going missing from care and to respond jointly where this does occur. The revised Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children deals with the recognition, reporting and management of child safety concerns. It emphasises the need to safeguard and to protect children, particularly vulnerable children. It specifically highlights the roles and responsibilities of the HSE and An Garda Síochána, as the two agencies with statutory responsibility for child protection and forms an integral part of their existing operations and practice. Where the HSE has identified a concern regarding child trafficking, this is referred to the Garda and the two statutory organisations work closely together to ensure the safety of the child. HSE management and staff have been closely involved in collaboration with the Department of Justice and Equality in the development of the National Action Plan on Anti-Human Trafficking and every effort is being made to fulfil the commitment to combat trafficking as outlined in this Plan.

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