Hostel closure ‘will not help children’

THE closure of hostels housing separated children seeking asylum will not result in any tangible improvement in their lives unless their new living arrangements are carefully monitored, children’s rights groups have warned.

Earlier this month an Irish Examiner report revealed stark failures in the hostel care system, including children going missing, involvement in prostitution and lack of access to formal education.

In response, the Children’s Rights Alliance has said it is not convinced that the transfer of some of these children into foster care was a solution.