Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2025
407. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he considered how the equity of care between unaccompanied children seeking international protection and Irish resident children in the care system will be dealt with in the International Protection Bill 2025. [67618/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra408. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration how unaccompanied children seeking international protection will be cared for and accommodated in the implementation of the EU Pact on migration and asylum. [67619/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 408 together.
Ireland has opted in to the EU Asylum and Migration Pact which is due to enter operation in June 2026. The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU.
The General Scheme of a new International Protection Bill to give effect to the measures of the Pact was approved by Government on 29 April 2025. As the Deputy is aware, the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration recently conducted pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme. The drafting of the Bill is well advanced. It is expected that the Bill will be published by the end of the year. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 11 June 2026.
The measures of the Pact, in particular, the Reception Conditions Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1346), the Asylum Procedures Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1348), and the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1351) set out safeguards and procedural guarantees for unaccompanied minors in the international protection process. These requirements will be given effect in the International Protection Bill. The Bill will also provide for appropriate alignment with the Screening Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1356). As required by the Pact measures, the Bill will make provision for the appointment of representatives to assist and safeguard the interests of unaccompanied minors.
My Department is working closely with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and Tusla on matters relating to unaccompanied minors in the international protection process to ensure that our national legislation and operational practices will accord with requirements under the Pact and ensure the appropriate care and protection of unaccompanied minors.
