Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1127. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a situation (details supplied); the number of persons in this situation; if a breakdown exists by local electoral area; the type of accommodation persons are living in; the supports and help available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19958/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, receives separated children seeking international protection (SCSIP) into care via two routes: those who have been relocated under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) and those who present independently at ports and other points of entry to Ireland.
To date in 2022, 103 SCSIP have been referred to Tusla, with 93 children currently in Tusla’s care.
These numbers do not include separated children that have come to Ireland from Ukraine, as these children are granted one year’s Temporary Protection. Since the commencement of the war on Ukraine on 25th February, 116 separated children from Ukraine have been referred to Tusla. Of these, 59 were received into care/accommodation. There are currently 44 separated children from Ukraine in Tusla's care.
In relation to the supports and help available to SCSIP, Tusla has a dedicated social work team. Over the past 20 years the SCSIP Team has developed expertise through Ireland’s participation in International Refugee Protection Programmes and by caring for separated children seeking international protection who arrive unannounced at Irish ports, including airports.
SCSIP 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. If children cannot be reunified with family, they are received into the care of Tusla.
These children are placed by Tusla either in small specialist residential care centres, or with specifically recruited foster families under a Fáilte Foster care programme. The children are automatically entitled as children in care to a medical card and access to education services.
In addition, a Social Worker is allocated to them to develop a care plan and monitor the progress of the child / young persons care. The care plan may involve specialist English language tuition, intensive educational supports and therapeutic work in respect of trauma.
The basis for care of a SCSIP is different from the general child in care population; as they are received into care for protection and welfare reasons due to their separation from their primary carers, which can be as a consequence of war or persecution. Children who arrive in Ireland outside of a dedicated refugee programme are supported in their application for refugee status.
The Deputy is seeking information on the a breakdown of SCSIP who live outside the direct provision system by electoral area, as this is an operational matter for Tusla I have referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
