State faces UN sanction over direct provision payment for children

Ireland could face sanctions when it appears before the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in January over its failure to increase the weekly payment for children in direct provision.

The State faces a day-long hearing in Geneva on January 14th, for a review of its implementation of children’s rights.

Independent Senator Jillian van Turnhout called for the weekly payment to be increased. It is €9.60 and the working group established by the Government to review the direct provision process recommended an increase to €29.80.

In the Seanad during debate on the International Protection Bill, Ms van Turnhout said there had been no change in the payment in 16 years. “While it is outside the scope of the legislation, it is a matter that I believe is wrong leading up to Christmas.”

She also said the remit of the Ombudsman should be extended. She pointed to Ireland’s appearance before the UN in January and said “this will be a highlight issue for that committee if Ireland has not moved on it”.

The Taoiseach’s nominee said: “I really hope we will be in a position, before Christmas or, at the very latest, in early January to welcome announcements from the Government.”

Candle-lit vigil

Minister for Children James Reilly will represent the Government at the hearing.

Earlier this week several non-governmental children’s organisations held a candlelit vigil outside Leinster House to highlight the child payment issue.

Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane criticised amendments to the International Protection Bill including one to deal with "infringements of the integrity of the common travel area" between Ireland and the UK.

The Bill seeks to create a single asylum application procedure, but Mr Cullinane said provisions to protect borders and sovereignty also had to be fair, robust with safeguards for those seeking asylum.

He criticised an amendment which allows an immigration officer to refuse a person entry into the State if they are satisfied the person is doing so for the sole purpose of extending their stay in the common travel area.

The Irish Refugee Council had criticised the amendment for “fundamentally undermining the right to asylum”. The Waterford Senator said the provision “extends way beyond” its objective of state sovereignty on Irish borders.

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald insisted however that "no person will be refused entry to the State where it is clear there is a genuine need for protection", but she said the State was taking steps to maintain the integrity of the common travel area.

Ms Fitzgerald added that “there are large numbers of persons who have spent a period in the UK, exploiting the common travel area, entering our State and claiming asylum to prolong their stay”.