The number of asylum claims made by children separated from their families in the first four months of this year was half last year's total, a conference was told yesterday.
The Minister of State for Children, Ms Mary Hanafin, said 154 asylum applications from unaccompanied minors were made this year to the end of April, compared to 300 for all of last year and 34 in 1999.
Ms Hanafin said the vast majority of unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers were referred to health boards in the eastern region, particularly the East Coast Area Health Board. The boards look after their housing, medical, social and educational needs as well as assisting with their applications to remain in the State as refugees.
In 1999, 94 unaccompanied children were referred to the health boards while 517 were referred last year, she said. Some 429 referrals were made this year until the end of April.
The numbers of referrals are higher than those of eventual asylum claims by minors because some of the children are reunited with family members already living in Ireland.
The two-day conference, on the reception of unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers, is jointly hosted by the Departments of Justice and Health and Children.