Secretary general of the Department of Justice Oonagh McPhillips said existing legislation required the International Protection Office to refer an unaccompanied minor to Tusla. Photograph: Sam Boal/CollinsAlmost 30 per cent of those seeking international protection as unaccompanied minors over the last two years were subsequently found by the child and family agency Tusla not to be eligible, the Department of Justice has said. Figures provided by the Department of Justice suggested that more than 140 people who sought international protection as children were determined by Tusla to be adults. Tusla has seen a significant increase in unaccompanied minors referred for accommodation, particularly from Ukraine, in recent years. A Tusla spokesman said: “The challenge of upscaling services to respond promptly to the number of unaccompanied minors arriving in Ireland is ongoing.”

Source: The Irish Times February 27, 2026 15:02 UTC