Ireland’s Department of Justice has disclosed a striking data point: almost a third of people who claimed to be unaccompanied minors when applying for international protection in 2024-25 were ultimately assessed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to be over-18. According to a briefing sent this month to the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, 592 applicants were referred to Tusla during the two-year period; 491 assessments have been completed and 141 individuals (29%) were judged ineligible for child-protection services and returned to the International Protection Office to have their cases processed as adults.
The majority of referrals came from Somalia and Afghanistan, with most applicants declaring an age of 16-17. Under current legislation, the IPO must refer any person who claims to be under 18 to Tusla for a welfare assessment before their asylum claim proceeds. That process includes interviews, document checks and, where necessary, medical age evaluations—procedures that have come under pressure as arrivals surged last year.
For organisations or individuals trying to navigate Ireland’s wider immigration paperwork—from work permits and student visas to family reunification or humanitarian applications—VisaHQ offers a convenient, online platform that consolidates up-to-date requirements, fees and timelines. Its dedicated Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) pairs digital forms with expert support, helping applicants avoid common errors and speed up processing.
![Ireland flags age-fraud concerns as 30% of ‘child’ asylum applicants deemed adults]()
Government officials say the findings bolster the case for tighter initial screening and clearer guidelines for carriers and frontline border staff. Critics, however, caution against stereotyping: NGOs note that documentation is often impossible to secure in conflict zones and warn that adult determinations can be contested in court, prolonging an already back-logged asylum system.
Practically, the figures will affect resourcing for Tusla—whose residential facilities are designed for minors—and influence Ireland’s negotiations with EU partners on the new Pact on Migration and Asylum. Employers that sponsor refugee internships or apprenticeships should prepare for greater ID vetting, while multinational HR teams relocating families to Ireland may see heightened scrutiny of accompanying teenagers’ paperwork.
The Department of Justice says a review of Section 24 of the International Protection Act—covering age assessments—is under way, with recommendations expected before the summer recess. In the meantime, companies supporting staff through the asylum process should plan for longer timelines and possible reclassification of dependants.
The majority of referrals came from Somalia and Afghanistan, with most applicants declaring an age of 16-17. Under current legislation, the IPO must refer any person who claims to be under 18 to Tusla for a welfare assessment before their asylum claim proceeds. That process includes interviews, document checks and, where necessary, medical age evaluations—procedures that have come under pressure as arrivals surged last year.
For organisations or individuals trying to navigate Ireland’s wider immigration paperwork—from work permits and student visas to family reunification or humanitarian applications—VisaHQ offers a convenient, online platform that consolidates up-to-date requirements, fees and timelines. Its dedicated Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) pairs digital forms with expert support, helping applicants avoid common errors and speed up processing.
Government officials say the findings bolster the case for tighter initial screening and clearer guidelines for carriers and frontline border staff. Critics, however, caution against stereotyping: NGOs note that documentation is often impossible to secure in conflict zones and warn that adult determinations can be contested in court, prolonging an already back-logged asylum system.
Practically, the figures will affect resourcing for Tusla—whose residential facilities are designed for minors—and influence Ireland’s negotiations with EU partners on the new Pact on Migration and Asylum. Employers that sponsor refugee internships or apprenticeships should prepare for greater ID vetting, while multinational HR teams relocating families to Ireland may see heightened scrutiny of accompanying teenagers’ paperwork.
The Department of Justice says a review of Section 24 of the International Protection Act—covering age assessments—is under way, with recommendations expected before the summer recess. In the meantime, companies supporting staff through the asylum process should plan for longer timelines and possible reclassification of dependants.
