Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 3

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Seán Crowe

Question:

453 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the in Eastern Regional Health Authority region there are 500 or more Nigerian children under the age of 16 in care and that the health authority refused to attend a conference on human trafficking organised here in November 2003 by the Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs. Amina Abubakar, and also refused her permission to visit the centre at which the children are held. [31123/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. B. Lenihan):

The provisions of the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and attention apply to those minors entering the State unaccompanied. In carrying out this role the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority also determine whether or not an application for refugee status be made on behalf of these minors.

Figures received from the Eastern Regional Health Authority indicate that as of October 2003 there were approximately 64 unaccompanied minors aged from 12 to 16 years, 173 aged between 16 and 18 years and 65 mothers and babies in the care of the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

The issue of child trafficking is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform.