Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
693. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps his Department is taking in conjunction with stakeholders such as Tusla to ensure that unaccompanied minors arriving in Ireland from Ukraine are protected. [14710/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is responding to this emerging humanitarian crisis on a needs basis. As of the 25th February, citizens of the Ukraine do not require a visa to enter Ireland or reside here.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a dedicated social work team for Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP). Over the past 20 years, the SCSIP Team has developed expertise through Ireland’s participation in International Refugee Protection Programmes and by caring for the greater number of separated children seeking international protection who arrive unannounced at Irish ports and airports
Separated children seeking international protection who arrive at ports of entry to Ireland are referred to Tusla for a child protection needs assessment.
In the first instance, Tusla makes every attempt to contact relatives of the child and to reunite the child with family members or friends. If children cannot be reunified with family or friends, they are received into the care of Tusla .
The Department has liaised with the Department of Justice on the numbers of unaccompanied children,under 18 who were issued Irish visas in 2021 and 2022, prior to the visa waiver scheme for the purposes of study.
Some of these children may still be in Ireland, and would be entitled to a child protection needs assessment if unable to return to the Ukraine or reunite with family in Ireland. Children who have arrived to date, and have been assessed as in need of care and support have been accommodated within Tusla’s care system.
Should large numbers of unaccompanied children arrive in a short time span, Tusla, along with other agencies, will undertake assessment of need interviews and will arrange or refer children to safe, emergency needs led accommodation.
The profile of care and accommodation that will be offered will depend on the numbers arriving and their circumstances; if they have family already here, their age, their language skills and their assessed needs. Accommodation that will be offered include Tusla foster care placements, commissioned placements and established residential settings. Should a large number of separated children arrive, options such as boarding school accommodation, pledged family accommodation and other resources will be considered, in line with safety requirements.
Guidance regarding safeguarding and the immediate needs of children who have encountered trauma will be provided by the Tusla dedicated Separated Children Seeking International Protection and the broader Tusla child protection and foster care services.
Officials in my Department are in ongoing discussions with Tusla and HIQA regarding the needs of children.
