Fine Gael Immigration & Integration Spokesman, Denis Naughten TD, has welcomed the first public acknowledgment by the HSE that its standard of care for migrant children placed in its responsibility by the Gardai was substandard when compared with that provided to Irish children.

Deputy Naughten made his comments after The Irish Times carried comments from a senior Director in the HSE, Philip Garland, who accepted the organisation has failed migrant children.

“While there is no doubt that the care provided to all children in care needs to be improved, it is clear from the scale of migrant children disappearing from HSE care that these children were being ignored.

“In 2009, one in every four migrant children placed in the care of the HSE by the Gardai went missing, (45 out of 180). In 2007, 32 separated children went missing from the care of the HSE, in 2008, 22 went missing. The numbers in 2009 increased but there is complete inaction from the Fianna Fáil Government and the HSE. This is nothing short of appalling.

“Today’s public acknowledgement by Mr. Philip Garland, assistant national director for children and families with the HSE is the first time that the organisation has accepted that it has failed these children.

“However, these apologies ring hollow. The HSE was aware right through the boom years that children disappearing from their hostels were being exploited. In some cases they had been previously taken out of dire situations, such as brothels.

“Last week there were reports of two children found in brothels in this country, one of whom was just 15 years old. There is also no doubt that the HSE’s failure to act has facilitated the labour and sexual exploitation of vulnerable children.

“Where are the hundreds of children who have disappeared without trace from migrant hostels?
The HSE must protect all children regardless of nationality, and must immediately insure that the proper systems are put in place to protect the most vulnerable of them.”