Migrant Children

Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether it is acceptable for asylum seekers and their children to be housed in reception centres which lack adequate facilities for any meaningful recreational activity; if he accepts that it is imperative that children and... Read more

Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider postponing the closure of Lisbrook House, County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the long term effects of closing this facility; his views on whether moving families to new locations will... Read more

Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a report published by the Irish Refugee Council on 18 September 2012 which catalogues more than ten years of enforced child poverty, malnutrition and social exclusion caused by the system of direct provision; and if he will... Read more

Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures she has taken to date and future proposals to address the issue of child benefit being paid in respect of children living outside the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Social Protection (Deputy... Read more

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (SF) asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of children of migrant workers between the ages of 16 and 24 who are currently registered in the State and a breakdown of the types of residency stamps issued to these children. Minister for Justice and Equality... Read more

Deputy Brendan Ryan (Lab) asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that young persons resident here under a Stamp 4 are not eligible for free fees unless a determination has also been made by the Minister for Justice not to make a deportation under section three of the Immigration... Read more

Deputy Brendan Ryan (Lab) asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to any circumstances under which a person can be denied access to free fees by a third level institution on grounds of residency status while a family member of the same status can be granted access... Read more

Deputy Jerry Buttimer (FG) asked the Minister for Justice and Equality regarding the recommendations pertaining to the criminal justice system contained in the Fifth Report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, if he has consulted with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs; if there is... Read more

Nasc has submitted an entry to the 2012 Better Together video competition for charities and community organisations in Ireland. The two-minute video features Zelen and Zen, twin brothers originally from Botswana who came to Ireland to join their mother. We’d like to thank Zen and Zelen for sharing... Read more

Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (LAB) asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the State has signed the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Communications Procedure; and if so, when same will be ratified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40492/12] Deputy... Read more

Deputy Jerry Buttimer (FG) asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs regarding the recommendations pertaining to the criminal justice system contained in the Fifth Report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, if she has consulted with the Department of Justice and Equality; if there... Read more

Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he expects the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography to be ratified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39555/12] Minister... Read more

Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the handling of the attempted move of asylum seekers from Lisburn Houses in Galway; and if he will outline his plans in relation to the residents. [39372/12] Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): The Reception... Read more

Deputy Derek Nolan: I wish to raise the matter of the report produced this week by the Irish Refugee Council, entitled State Sanctioned Child Poverty and Exclusion, which deals with children of asylum seekers in direct provision centres. The report was written by Samantha Arnold and is valuable because... Read more