Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
1107. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to provide data for the period 2019 to date on the number of cases involving age-disputed minors identified by the international protection services and by any other relevant body under the aegis of her Department dealing with international protection, asylum and refugee claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34576/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhere it appears to the International Protection Office (IPO) that an applicant is a minor, the person in question is referred to Child and Family Agency (TUSLA). TUSLA undertakes an assessment for eligibility for services and, for those deemed to be unaccompanied minors, TUSLA support the young persons in making an international protection application.
There have been cases where TUSLA have deemed a young person not eligible for services and the young person has then completed an application for international protection as an adult. In some instances additional information comes to light during this application process which requires a further age assessment to be undertaken. This would happen, for example, where evidence of their minority is provided through identity documents. The IPO databases do not allow for reporting on cases where the ages of applicants were, or are, under dispute.
The table below details the number of referrals made from the IPO to TUSLA since 2019.
Please note all data provided is correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
|
Year |
Referrals from IPO to TUSLA |
|
2019 |
40 |
|
2020 |
28 |
|
2021 |
38 |
|
2022 |
181 |
|
2023 |
185 |
|
2024* |
161 |
*To COB 4 September 2024
