115 Unaccompanied Children Seek Protection in Ireland

A recent report from Ireland’s Minister for Integration and Children, Roderic O’Gorman, revealed that 115 unaccompanied minors have sought for international protection. These children are currently residing within the state care system, alongside 176 other young individuals, at special emergency accommodation (SEA) centers.

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All 115 children who have applied for international protection have been separated from their families while fleeing their countries of origin. However, specific details regarding their countries of origin or ages have not been provided at this time!

Minister O’Gorman addressed concerns raised by Aontu leader Peadar Toibin regarding the compliance of some accommodation facilities with child safety regulations. The Minister responded by saying, “As of February 18th, there are 176 youngsters under special emergency accommodations. Furthermore, 115 of these are unaccompanied children or separated youngsters requesting either international protection or both.”

Addressing the Needs of Unaccompanied Children

The minister elaborated on the challenges faced by the child protection agency, Tulsa, in securing suitable placements for children under state care.

These challenges include recruitment and retention issues, maintaining an adequate number of foster carers, managing the complexities of certain cases, and the unprecedented influx of separated children seeking international protection.

Acknowledging the increase in referrals to the child protection agency, Minister O’Gorman emphasized his commitment to bolstering Tulsa’s services. He disclosed allocating a record budget of €1.1 billion for 2024 to facilitate the maintenance and expansion of these vital services.

Minister O’Gorman emphasized continued efforts to reduce reliance on SEA facilities and expressed a shared goal with Tulsa to satisfy the needs of all children in mainstream alternative care programs. Specific measures are being implemented to enhance the quality and safety of placements while concurrently reducing associated costs.

As discussions progress, stakeholders remain focused on addressing the complex needs of unaccompanied 115 minors seeking refuge in Ireland, underscoring the importance of robust support systems and effective policymaking in safeguarding their welfare.