Plans to help non-Irish parents return home

NON-IRISH parents of Irish-born children are to be offered help to re-integrate their families in their home country.

The move is one of three initiatives announced yesterday by Justice Minister Michael McDowell. The initiatives aim to facilitate the departure from the State of the parents of Irish-born children who have applied for residency here.

The other aspects of the initiative include free travel arrangements for those who apply before the end of January 2004 and a dedicated programme to assist unaccompanied minors.