Asylum move on minors may affect Ireland

IRELAND could be subject to Europe-wide legislation on the treatment of separated minors seeking asylum, the United Nations refugee agency has said.

Sophie McGuinness of UNHCR Ireland said proposals were “on the table” as a new report published yesterday showed that in some cases minors seeking asylum did not know who to complain to about aspects of their care, and in some cases did not believe their allocated social workers were working fully on their behalf.

The report, Closing a Protection Gap, produced by the Irish Refugee Council, features data derived from face-to-face interviews with separated children in the asylum system, as well as HSE staff, care workers and social workers.