Children arriving alone in country still going missing, says group

A small number of separated foreign children who arrive in this country are still going missing, and it is believed they are mainly Chinese teenagers who have been smuggled here to work.

As of July 2011, there were more than 75 separated children or “aged out minors” (those over 18) in foster care or supported lodgings placements, but according to Barnardos, the State’s response to the needs of this group remains inadequate. In the first half of the year, 46 young people arrived to Ireland alone, seven went missing, although two were later accounted for.

The system of dealing with minors who arrive at the country’s ports unaccompanied, some as young as 11, has improved greatly but there are still “hugely worrying” issues, according to those who work with the young people.