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TEENAGERS FROM OUTSIDE of Ireland who don’t have a parent or guardian are being forced to move from foster care into the direct provision system after they turn 18.
The finding is one the key challenges identified by the ESRI as part of a new report into the care of unaccompanied minors from outside the EU in Ireland.
An unaccompanied minor is a child who is not in the care of, or accompanied by, a responsible adult when presenting to the State, either through the gardaí or another agency.
Children in the company of a responsible adult, who may not necessarily be their parent or legal guardian are not designated as such.
The report found that there has been a significant improvement in the care of such children but point to several challenges that remain.
One of the challenges relates to the aftercare children receive when they turn 18, something report author Emma Quinn says has “huge regional variations”.
“The access (to aftercare) in general depends on a discretionary decision about vulnerability,” said Quinn, adding that it would be the opinion of many social workers and any child in such situations are vulnerable.
In Dublin, for example, there are initiatives in place so that minors in education may stay on in care until they complete their education.
“It’s important to note that there is no clear immigration status for unaccompanied minors,” says Quinn. “If they want to normalise their immigration status then they may have to make an asylum application.”
“It follows that they may then have to enter the direct provision system,” she adds.
Decrease
The ESRI report found that there was a dramatic decrease in the number of unaccompanied minors going missing from State care.
In 2007, 41 children went missing from the care of the Dublin social work team of whom 12 were found. In 2013, four children went missing and two were found.
Much of this reduction is due to the ending of the hostel-based care for unaccompanied minors which was phased out over 2009 and 2010. The system was widely criticised for exposing already vulnerable children to harm.
The number of unaccompanied minors going missing from State care has also decreased in large part because the overall numbers presenting has declined sharply.
A non-EU child without a parent, guardian or responsible adult is now the responsibility of Tusla and are treated equally to Irish children. In practice this means that they are provided with foster care, supported lodgings or residential placements, most are also provided with a social worker.
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Oh please give me a break
If these ” Asylum seekers ” really were in fear for their lives they would have claimed Asylum at the first port of Safety ,not spend thousands travelling through dozens of countries to get to our little Island.
They are not Asylum seekers
They are social welfare seekers
Cut and paste asset column – cut and paste well done
Wrong story chief….
My asset, a one way ticket from Ethiopia to Ireland costs about 600 euros, direct flights from Addis Ababa to Istanbul and on to Dublin, first port of call in a European country Ireland, this is just one route, please back up your statement or do not make one, asylum seekers are human and children are children, another institution Ireland and the government want to hide until a scandal breaks which will cost the tax payer much more in the long term.
Jeez David, better watch out, they don’t like actual facts on Asylum comments. They usual far right crowd will be along after Jeremy Kyle with their red thumbing.
Istanbul in Turkey? Turkey which is in Europe? The same country which is politically European and made an application to join the EU in 1987? Is that the Istanbul you say you can get a connecting flight to Dublin “their first port of call” in Europe?
The majority are coming in through Italy, but then again you know that don’t you.
@Yaya – yes, because Turkey is in the EU and is, therefore covered by the Dublin Regulation – which, by the way, everyone misquotes.
But, like I said, no one likes facts here so carry on …
@Dara, Turkey isnt actually in the EU, it is however in Europe
Only 5% of Turkey is in Europe 95% is in Asia.
@Yaya – get that sarcasm detector looked at
3% actually, but politically it is European, which is what we are talking about, it is also not part of the Dublin Regulation
Jesus yaya – do you still not get the sarcasm? Ok I’ll explain it to you – as Turkey is not in the EU it is, therefore not subject to the Dublin Regulation, therefore, your comment re Istanbul being in Europe had absolutely no relevance whatsoever to the one that you tried to undermine.
I used sarcasm to try to point this out to you but it seems it was a bit too highbrow for you.
I’ll stick to Daily Mail formatting in future.
That comment wasn’t in response to yours at all Dara
Upon their 18th birthday, return them to their country of origin as they are now no longer children.
Why?
How does a minor get on a plane in the first place? Surely the airlines have a responsibility in this as I fail to see how a 14 y.o child can arrive up to a check in desk with a one way ticket to Ireland without raising suspicion.
Because they come by land. My guess would be that their families get the funds together for the people smugglers and then when their kid is set up, they follow them over or at least have a source of funds from Europe going forward. Also, having no ID on them they can lie about their ages etc. We all know that the majority want to live in countries like the UK and Germany, Ireland has just become a one stop shop for a European passport. Its just a big con game run by people smuggling cartels that promise these people the moon and stars for a few thousand dolors.
At the end of the day its the tax payer that suffers and it puts pressure on the social welfare system etc.
Fair point Damien. I do remember watching a few programmes where people were claiming that they were under-age in order to claim asylum but I never thought of it the other way around.
So, where are those missing children?
Faded into the background (if nothing sinister has happened). I know a family who fostered an afghani boy for 12yrs – his parents were dead. As soon as he turned 18, he was sent to a DP Centre.
The family fought to keep him but we’re told no. He’s studying now whilst waiting on the outcome of an application – the family were advised not to stay in contact and were warned that they cannot give him any financial support.
The ‘missing children’ are possibly now living illegally in Ireland.
Well said! The old ‘first port of call’ and ‘ship them back brigade’ still alive and kicking I see. Just as well the U.S. doesn’t have the same attitude to irish undocumented, sticking them in direct provision centres for example. But then, I guess most Irish who abuse the American immigration system are our ‘own’ grand fellas, not like these dark types coming over here to our fair Isle. Hypocrisy, the worst Irish trait, and not a word of concern for the children who have gone missing on our watch.
Agreed Joanne
Actually if found they are deported. First they are taken to a prison, processed, and then shipped out. What is your point. The same thing happens to white people and white asylum seekers. Continue with your Irish bashing all you want, its obvious who the racist is in this case.
Can you tell me how many Irish citizens claimed asylum in the US in the last 50 years ?
There is no comparison at all.
Illegal Irish people in the US are (by and large) economic migrants who have chosen to enter (and remain) illegal. If found they should be arrested and deported – just like all ‘illegals’ the world over.
What a crying shame for this country that you never need to emigrate Larry….. Well there’s always hope.
Racist? Please, the only racists around here are those who see one rule for certain ethnicities and different ones for others. As for your assertion that they face deportation ‘if found’ etc that may happen on occasion, and that is the risk you run when you break the law, but where are they sent back to? Ireland… hardly a war zone or the most dangerous place to be if you’re a woman/homosexual/religious minority and so on. And still not a word on the missing children.
This was meant in response and support to David Hughes’ comment above
How can you blame these young vulnerable persons for not wanting to go through the direct provision system ?!
I have great admiration for these ‘now’ brave young men.. Let’s pray that they are safe and secure and that they also have a wonderful future (wherever that maybe)
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