Traffickers arrange the illegal arrival of one child in ten

TWO hostels have been set aside for young teenage mothers who arrive in Ireland unaccompanied by any adults, it has emerged.

The health board responsible for the care of unaccompanied minors, responding to a report critical of services for the vulnerable youngsters, said major improvements have been made in recent months, including the hostels for young mothers.

Dr Pauline Conroy’s report, ‘Trafficking in Unaccompanied Minors in Ireland’, said youngsters were being kept in hostels with adults, including the homeless.