Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 December 2018
21. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her role in the family reunification process; and if her attention has been drawn to the stress and anxiety caused to certain children due to time delays and inefficiency of the process. [52429/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for her question. I do not have a role in the family reunification process. Family reunification falls under the policy remit of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
A separated child seeking asylum may make an application for reunification with family members, depending on the circumstances of their arrival and their status in Ireland. Where the family are already in Ireland, the UK or EU, Tusla will work with the separated child seeking asylum, where it is deemed in their interest, to reunify that child with their family as soon as possible. Children arriving through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, and who have their status approved prior to, or within a short period of arrival, are in a position to apply for their family to come to Ireland. Decisions about such applications are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
A child seeking asylum who arrives at a point of entry unaccompanied by parents or guardians is taken into the care of Tusla and it is required that their leave to remain status is established before they can apply for family to join them in Ireland. The possibility of family reunification is considered as part of a detailed needs assessment process carried out when a child comes into the care of Tusla. Not all young persons are in a position to make an informed application for international protection on arrival; some are deeply traumatised from their experiences. They need a period of stability and care before being supported in making their application for residency. Some young people may need medical or psychological supports on arrival, and some may need educational supports and intensive social work support in order to prepare them for making the application.
I am aware that the process of applying for asylum, and applying for family reunification where eligible, can be difficult, and in some cases stressful. Every separated child seeking asylum has an allocated social worker, who works with the child to prepare them for the application process, and to secure supports for the child in line with their needs and best interests.
All factors, including potential for family reunification, and reunification with a guardian, are considered by the social worker when evaluating the right time to make an application with a young person. Child-centred practice requires that the individual needs and circumstances of the child/young person, as well as their opinion, are taken into account. In the main, it is on this basis that decisions about the timing of applications is made.
