2026-04-23

128. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Tusla has completed any monitoring visits to hotels used to provide separated children seeking international protection, SCSIP, accommodation in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28219/26]

I would like to ask the Minister whether Tusla has completed any monitoring visits to hotels or other accommodation, particularly special emergency accommodation settings, used to provide for separated children seeking international protection accommodation in 2026. Given the "RTÉ Investigates" programme, this relates to that whole sphere. I would be grateful if the Minister can give some sort of assurance that this is being dealt with and Tusla will move away from using special emergency accommodation because it is not suitable and not regulated.

I appreciate the Deputy raising the question. We know that Tusla is facing significant and ongoing challenges in sourcing appropriate placements for children and young people. It is important to recognise that there has been a 500% increase in arrivals of separated children seeking international protection entering the State since 2022, with the vast majority of arrivals aged 16 or 17 years of age. This has significantly impacted on Tusla's ability to provide accommodation and supports to this vulnerable cohort. Tusla has advised that, where there is an unexpected increase in arrivals of unaccompanied minors, its national out-of-hours service may place young people in a hotel setting, in recognition of the immediate need for a place of safety. Tusla has said that young people are then moved to registered centres as a matter of priority and no later than the next working day. The out-of-hours service follows standard operating procedures in respect of securing an immediate place of safety for unaccompanied minors, and immediately notifies the area manager of a placement the next working day, so that further arrangements for the accommodation of the minor can be made. A risk assessment is completed by Tusla and support is provided to the young person and the care provider for the duration of their short time in the accommodation. Further, I have been informed when hotel accommodation is used in these instances, the young person is accompanied by staff during their stay and is not left alone in hotels. Tusla provides regular data to my Department on its operation of special emergency arrangements. I am pleased to share that, as of Friday, 17 April, Tusla reported that there were no separated children seeking international protection placed in an SEA. In relation to that, it has come to my attention today that, whilst, on Friday, there were no children seeking international protection in special emergency accommodation, as of this week there are three with disputed age who are in three special emergency accommodations because they cannot be placed with other young people. I acknowledge the work that has been done there by Tusla over the last number of months.

What is the process as regards how the Minister deals with those separated children seeking international protection and a disputed age? It is necessary to deal with that as quickly as possible from a child protection point of view? I accept Tusla is dealing with far more significant issues in relation to the complexity of issues that are in front of it and the increase in the number of those separated children, but all of us were impacted by what we watched last night on "RTÉ Investigates", in particular, the case of Max. The Minister talked of children who find themselves in these particular situations and facilities always being monitored but we heard how it looks like Max, who has his own issues and complexities, at some level was left alone, found himself in a scenario where he was abused and nobody noticed for something like two-and-a-half hours. There had been a huge issue in relation to those who have gone missing for a significant time. What we need to see is a framework, that appropriate accommodation is found and we stop using unregulated facilities that are not suitable in any way, shape or form.

I join with the Deputy in saying what all we saw and witnessed on the programme last night has been incredibly upsetting in terms of the young people who were part of it and the experiences that they shared. I want to acknowledge that. I want to acknowledge also the staff that work with them every day. This past week, I met with social workers and social care workers. I am very conscious of the work of the foster care system and foster care families. These are very complex situations. The vast majority of children and young people in State care are in foster care or residential care. Some 96% of children are either in foster care or residential care. Nine out of ten young people who are in foster care and residential care are in education, further training, apprenticeship or whatever the case might be. I want to acknowledge too - I will not reference any specific individual case that arose last night - that in the main Tusla is working with young people in care coming from really difficult, traumatic and complex situations through no fault of their own.

I accept that. We have spoken on many occasions previously of the need for earlier intervention and family supports, and even in other cases where children need to be taken out of places that are not safe for multiple different reasons. We have spoken as well about the fact that we need more foster carers, social care workers and social workers to deliver the framework. However, I again ask what the process is in relation to those children with the disputed age. Is the Minister considering moving away from special emergency arrangements, which are not fit for purpose? What will the time frame be? There are huge dangers. Guardians ad litem and a number of others have given out about them. Has the Minister the numbers in relation to those that are in SEAs at this point in time?

The disputed age has been flagged by Tusla. It is a concern of the agency. In relation to these three individuals, it will be worked through with the Department of justice. It is important that if there is any question over appropriate age, these young people are not placed with other young people who are underage. In terms of the reliance on special emergency accommodation, I want to be clear that we are doing all that we can to move away from that, to minimise it and, eventually, to eradicate a reliance on special emergency accommodation. Last year, there were 170 special emergency accommodations. This year, there are 70. We are working to bring that down even further. There will be for the first time a new policy on children in State care. That has been subject to public consultation. We hope that framework document will be available before the Dáil recess or in the coming months. In the meantime, staffing is an issue. There is a new training college for special care. Three step-down facilities are being put in place, two before the end of the year and one in January. Thirty-eight new residential places were opened last year, with a further 47 due to be opened this year. By the start of May, our reliance on special emergency accommodation will have reduced by 50%. We need to and will do more to reduce that reliance.