Two policy documents aimed at improving conditions for children in asylum-seeker accommodation centres were announced today.
The two documents detail child-protection policy for accommodation centres and infant-feeding guidelines for direct provision centres.
The documents, developed by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), are designed to "ensure children's safety, improve their life opportunities and promote their welfare, health and happiness", the Minister of State for Children, Brian Lenihan, told a reception in Farmleigh this morning.
The number of people seeking asylum in Ireland has dropped from 11,634 in 2002 to 4,766 in 2004. The RIA currently houses 6,100 people in 75 centres spread over 24 counties. Many of them are children, mostly in the pre-school age group.
The RIA is an office of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in conjunction with the Health Services Executive.
It will be incorporated in the future into the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, an umbrella body for migrants that was established by the Government in March.