Children in Care

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015

Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Ceisteanna (706)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

706. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 8 July 2015, while the development of a protocol by Tusla in relation to the Vienna Convention is welcomed, given the lack of information available on the nationality of the young persons in the care of the State makes it impossible to measure the success of these initiatives, if he will advise Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that this information should be collected and reported on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31459/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I have been advised by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that work has commenced in ensuring there are robust systems supporting Tusla's practices in relation to the Vienna Convention. Part of this work included reviewing current policies and establishing national structures to support this work. The protocol has been agreed and is in operation.

Tusla has also advised me that a national register will be established which will capture the nationality of young people coming to the attention of Tusla in relation to the Vienna Convention and will be recorded on standardised forms.

As this work is on-going and systems are in development, it is anticipated that Tusla will begin collating this data early in 2016.