Children in direct provision at risk of abuse

Inspections watchdog Hiqa has expressed serious concerns about children living in the direct provision system, with an inspection report showing they are at risk of physical and mental abuse.

The inspections carried out by Hiqa, the Health Information and Quality Authority, showed that evidence or claims of physical or mental illness of parents, exposure to domestic violence, physical abuse, and neglect were “common themes” in children in the asylum system who were the subject of referrals to the Child and Family Agency, Tusla.

Hiqa said there was an obvious “disparity” given that 85% of the children in direct provision who were the subject of child welfare and protection concerns in one year met the threshold for an initial assessment. That compares to an average of 50% of children generally who are similarly referred and meet that threshold.