Madam Speaker, on 10 March 2026, it was reported in the press that Mrs Y. B. was missing and her partner Mr A.R. was arrested as there was suspected foul play. I am informed that Mrs Y. B. was a victim of domestic violence which was reported to my Ministry to the Family Support Services of Goodlands. She was granted an interim protection order which she later withdrew. On 11 March 2026, following the arrest of Mr A.R., father of two minors, the officers of my Ministry immediately enquired on the whereabouts of the children. They were informed by La Brigade pour la Protection de la Famille that the children were under the care of one Mrs D. N., a friend of the biological father and that Mrs D. N., together with the minors were currently at the Major Crime Investigating Team (MCIT). On the same day, the officers of my Ministry attended the office of the MCIT for a psychosocial assessment of the minors in the presence of Mrs D. N. as she had been designated at that time by the biological father of two children to act as the responsible party for the two minors. I am further informed that later on during that day, the paternal uncle of the minors Mr U.R. attended the MCIT’s office where he expressed the wish to look after the minors. Madam Speaker, on 13 March 2026, the officers of my Ministry effected a site visit at the residence of Mr U. R., at Eau Coulée for a psychological assessment. The paternal uncle, Mr U. R., had informed that the biological father had asked him to look after his children. Consequently, the paternal uncle was entrusted the care and responsibility of the minors. Madam Speaker, I am further informed that on 16 March 2026, the paternal uncle was contacted for an update on the present status of the children and my officers were informed that both minors were faring well. On 20 March 2026, my officers conducted a home visit and the children were found to be faring well. The paternal uncle reiterated his willingness to care for the minors and requested information with regard to the legal procedures to be followed for their custody. An appointment was scheduled by the officers of my Ministry with the legal resource person on 26 March 2026 which Mr U. R, the paternal uncle attended. Legal advice was provided to him. Continuous psychological support is being provided to the minors and close follow-up is being maintained in this case.

Yes!

Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente. Je remercie la Ministre pour sa réponse. L’honorable Ministre peut-elle informer la Chambre si l’oncle paternel qui prend actuellement en charge les deux enfants de Madame B., victime de violence domestique, a lui-même un enfant et le cas échéant, quelle mesure concrète de soutient son ministère a mise en place pour garantir le bien de cette enfant dans ce nouveau cadre familiale ? Merci, Madame la présidente.

Madame la présidente, je suis au courant. Selon les informations, c’est vrai que l’oncle paternel a un enfant, un adolescent de 16 ans, mais le fait est que l’oncle a demandé à ce que les enfants lui soient confiés et nous suivons les enfants, les psychologues de mon ministère suivent les enfants et nous sommes satisfaits que les enfants sont entre de bonnes mains.

Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente. L’honorable ministre peut-elle informer la Chambre pendant combien de temps l’oncle paternel pourra assumer seul la prise en charge financière de ces deux enfants. Alors qu’aucune aide financière du ministère n’a à ce jour été accordée ? Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente.

Madame la présidente, je ne suis pas en présence d’’une demande dans ce sens mais je pense que s’il y a une telle demande, cela aurait dû être adressée au ministère de la Sécurité sociale.

On la laisse terminer d’abord.

Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente. Will the hon. Minister inform the House whether her Ministry is envisaging to put in place a clear-cut policy to ensure that the children in general are not separated as to fully protect their well-being and best interest. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madame la présidente, c’est effectivement la politique du gouvernement, du ministère, c’est à dire de ne pas séparer les siblings.

Yes?

Merci, Madame la présidente. L’honorable ministre peut-elle informer la Chambre du nombre de visites effectuées par les psychologues de son ministère aux enfants ?

Il y a eu selon mes informations, Madame la présidente, pas moins de trois visites aux enfants.

Okay, good. Now we go to the hon. First Member for Rodrigues, hon. Ms Collet! RODRIGUES – BLUE ECONOMY PROMOTION – IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES – RRA COLLABORATION