Latest: Children's Ombudsman calls for swift action to relocate 200 refugee children
The Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, has called for swift action in fulfilling the commitment to relocate up to 200 unaccompanied minors to Ireland from the former refugee camp in Calais.
“I very much welcome the news that Ireland is to accept up to 200 unaccompanied minors from the former migrant camp in Calais,” he said.
“However, this commitment must be followed urgently with action.
“I have been in contact with the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, since September, appealing to her to consider accepting unaccompanied minors from Calais under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP).
“Along with many others, including those involved in the #NotOnOurWatch campaign, we have continued to highlight this issue and I am very pleased that Minister Fitzgerald, and all members of the Oireachtas, have now committed to accepting up to 200 unaccompanied minors from Calais.
“It is essential that swift measures are taken to ensure that the children affected receive appropriate assistance to recover from what they have experienced.
“As highlighted by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in its statement on the situation in Calais, the best interests of the child were completely disregarded in the demolition of the ‘Jungle’ at Calais.
“Political and other considerations prevailed over the initial promises by the French and UK Governments that the situation of unaccompanied children would be their priority.
“The Committee stressed that hundreds of children have been subjected to inhumane living conditions, left without adequate shelter, food, medical services and psychosocial support, and in some cases exposed to smugglers and traffickers.
“We must therefore ensure that the mechanisms are in place so that these young people are provided with care, dignity and support in Ireland as soon as possible. I know that Irish children and young people are very anxious that our country works to help these refugees and they will be very pleased with this development.
“Ireland is in a position to show leadership on this issue and to make a difference in the lives of some of the children affected by this humanitarian crisis.”
Concern is being raised about the type of care Ireland can provide to refugee children fleeing war-torn countries.
The Government is proposing to take in up to 200 children who have been stranded as a result of continued violence in the Middle East.
Earlier this week, Minister for Children Katherine Zappone asked TUSLA to speed up the process to allow us offer refuge to youngsters in need.
However Shane Dunphy, an expert in child protection, is warning the system is already struggling to cope with demand.
"I do not believe we should do this unless we have the framework in place to do it," he said.
"Now let me be clear - there is no reason why we couldn't put the framework in place [but] if we are bringing these kids in without that framework in place, we are … condemning them to further pain."
