Ombudsman says State failing child refugees by relying on private accommodationBy Cillian Sherlock, PAThe Ombudsman for Children has found that an over-reliance on private commercial sector accommodation has failed children in international protection. It comes as the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) published its first-ever special report on safety and welfare of children in direct provision. He also feels that since the OCO published its first investigation into direct provision in 2021, progress on the White Paper on Direct Provision has stalled or regressed. While acknowledging “inordinate pressure” on the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) infrastructure, the report said: “An over-reliance on the private commercial sector accommodation has led to system failures on practical, economic and legal grounds. Thirdly, it said IPAS should have regard to the vulnerability of children within the international protection process in the planning and provision of their accommodation needs.

Source: Irish Independent October 19, 2023 07:50 UTC