€30m spent on asylum children

Health authorities have spent almost €30 million over the past five years on the care of asylum-seeking children in facilities…

Health authorities have spent almost €30 million over the past five years on the care of asylum-seeking children in facilities where at least one child is disappearing every week, it has emerged.

FG’s immigration spokesman Denis Naughten said yesterday it was a national scandal that taxpayers were footing the bill for hostels which were little more than “grooming grounds” for those seeking to prey on vulnerable children.

“For the first six months of this year the HSE has paid out close to €3 million for hostel accommodation for immigrant children . . . ,” he said.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter