Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what facilities are available for unaccompanied children applying for asylum in Northern Ireland.

The accommodation of unaccompanied asylum seeking children in Northern Ireland is arranged and monitored by the local authority responsible for that child and Social Services maintain an ongoing responsibility for their welfare.

The Home Office will make social services aware of a child’s arrival at the earliest opportunity. From that point onwards, a variety of professionals will have involvement with the welfare of the child.

For consideration of their asylum application, children are interviewed by a specially trained decision maker. At the interview, the child will be accompanied by a Responsible Adult. A legal representative would normally be present for the interview and an interpreter if appropriate.