Corrigan raises concerns over missing children seeking asylum

Maria Corrigan, principal psychologist and Dublin South Fianna Fáil Senator, has raised concerns over the number of unaccompanied minors in Ireland who have gone missing from State care.

Speaking today, Senator Corrigan, who has long campaigned on child protection issues, said, “I am very concerned that out of 500 unaccompanied minors in the country, only 67 of these can be accounted for at present.”

“While I welcome the National Plan, developed by the HSE to deal with the issue of separated children, we need to ensure that Ireland sends out a strong message in child protection terms that this country is no safe haven for illegal trafficking.”

Senator Corrigan recently sought an update from the Department of Health on the number of children who have gone missing and the procedures in place to deal with the matter.

Senator Corrigan said:" I am aware, especially in the case of unaccompanied foreign national minors, of anecdotal accounts of some children who, upon arrival to the State, enter the care of the HSE but go missing because they try to join up with their families who are already in the State."

"However, I am also aware there is concern that some of these children may be intentionally trafficked to Ireland. We have signed the Hague Convention and we are amending legislation through the new Adoption Bill to ensure we are in compliance. We have a particular responsibility not only on a human level but legislatively to ensure we discharge our requirements in preventing trafficking.

“For the past two years, I have lobbied strongly for the services of the Inspectorate to be extended to residential care for unaccompanied minors. I was pleased with Minister Brian Lenihan’s recent response that, this year, a number of the residential units that house unaccompanied minors will be closed and accommodation for unaccompanied minors will be coming under the remit of the Inspectorate. “

"We have a duty to account for these children and I will be seeking regular updates on the improvements made to ensure it is the most effective method,"added Senator Corrigan.

ENDS