Policy & Campaigns
Separated Children
Photo shows: Members of Action for Separated Children in Ireland after a press conference to highlight their concerns relating to the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill - Mary Nicholson ISPCC, Fergus Finlay Barnardos, Maria Corbett Children's Rights Alliance, Jyothi Kanics Irish Refugee Council, Dr Siobhan Mullally Irish Refugee Council Board and Norah Gibbons Barnardos outside Dail Eireann.
Protection and Rights for Separated Children
The IRC works to promote best practices for the protection of the rights of separated children at a national level through awareness raising, policy development, networking and advocacy. Separated children are defined as children under 18 years of age who are outside their country of origin and separated from both parents, or their previous legal/customary primary caregiver. The IRC also acts as the Irish national focal point for the Separated Children in Europe (SCEP) Network. Our policy concerns are presented in Making Separated Children Visible, published in November 2006 by the IRC, as well as in our submission on the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 and other policy documents.
The IRC’s Strategic Plan identifies the following as the long-term legacy of our current planning period:
“The IRC envisages an Ireland
· “Where separated children enjoy the same rights and entitlements as Irish children
· “Where Ireland is a model of best practice concerning child protection issues for separated children.
· “Where all children with protection needs receive refugee status or complementary protection”
The main long-term goal coming out of this is the realization of the recommendations from the IRC’s Making Separated Children Visible report specifically:
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Greater awareness of and respect for the rights of separated children
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Equal treatment and adequate child protection measures in place
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For each separated child to be identified, supported and assisted in securing a ‘durable solution,’ which ensures their stability and safety, in a timely and child friendly manner that prioritizes their best interests