State could be sued over child deportations

FAILURE to adequately assess the threats an Irish-born child may face on deportation could lead to future lawsuits against the State, a children’s rights group has warned.

The Children’s Rights Alliance (CRA) yesterday criticised the absence of any framework to assess a child’s right to remain in Ireland and the current practice of deciding their futures “behind closed doors”. Strict criteria are used to assess a parent’s right to remain in the country, but the existing system is adult-based. Up to 500 children face deportation with their parents, according to CRA chief executive Jillian Van Turnhout.

“If there is a child impact assessment, at least parents would know why a decision is taken. At the moment it’s all in a vacuum,” Ms Van Turnhout said.