Aged out minors should remain in Ireland

Labour calls on the Government to halt plans to deport approximately 250 young adults who were originally sent to Ireland as unaccompanied minors.

The Labour Party Spokesperson on Environment and Local Government, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, has called on the Government to halt plans to deport approximately 250 young adults who were originally sent to Ireland as unaccompanied minors. Deputy Gilmore has said speaking on the 2nd stage debate on the Employment Recruitment Bill.

“These are young people who were sent unaccompanied to Ireland when they were 14, 15 or 16 years old. They came from a number of war-torn countries and they were initially placed in the care of the Health Boards.

“They have pursued an education here. Most now have the Leaving Certificate and they have integrated into Irish society.

“However the Department of Justice is planning to deport them. Indeed some have already been deported back to countries where they no longer have any known family. It makes no sense for this State to deport these 250 young people, who could make a big contribution to the Irish economy and Irish society, especially when the Government states that our economy needs more immigrant labour.”