Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has defended living conditions at State-funded asylum accommodation centres.
The minister said the 34 centres that house 4,400 residents in 17 counties are subject to multiple inspections.
Legislation that could ultimately see all asylum applications dealt with inside six months is being worked on, he added.
Independent TD Patrick Nulty said details contained in unpublished inspection reports showed some accommodation centres were inadequate.
Mr Shatter told the Dáil the centres have a robust child protection policy and staff working there are vetted.
But he said parents have the primary responsibility to care for their children.
Mr Shatter warned contractors running the centres that their agreements with the Reception and Integration Agency must be fully honoured.
But he said problems outlined in recent newspapers reports were in some case the result of residents inadvertently locking fire escapes and using cookers in their rooms.
Minister Shatter confirmed the inspection reports will be published in full and his department is committed to transparency.
