Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
26. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the infant mortality rate of children in direct provision; and if he agrees that, as Minister for Children, he has a duty of care to these children and a responsibility to ask why children between zero and five years of age account for a quarter of all deaths of persons living in direct provision. [14466/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Justice and Equality has primary responsibility in the area of asylum and immigration, accordingly the direct provision system is under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The death of any child is obviously of great concern. However, from what has been reported, I do not have sufficient information to draw any reliable conclusions about the causes of death, or mortality rates among this group. However, the Deputy can be assured that I will be discussing this with my colleagues in the Department of Health and the Department of Justice and Equality to examine the matter further.
The Department of Justice and Equality has established a working group to review a range of issues pertaining to asylum seekers and direct provision. The first meeting of the Working Group on the Protection Process was held on the 10th November 2014, chaired by Judge Bryan McMahon. The Working Group consists of children's rights advocates, organisations engaged with asylum groups and representatives from a range of relevant government departments, including a representative from my own Department. I look forward to learning of the findings and recommendations of the working group in May 2015.
