Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 April 2025
200. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice following the publication of the brief on Ireland’s National Implementation Plan for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, to outline the protocols that will be in place to ensure that unaccompanied minors are not inappropriately routed through accelerated or inadmissible procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16010/25]
View answer201. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice following the publication of the brief on Ireland’s National Implementation Plan for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, if all unaccompanied minors be referred to Tusla immediately upon arrival under the new screening process; how this will be monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16011/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.
The EU Migration and Asylum Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be done through convergence in asylum practices across the EU.
The new International Protection Bill to give effect in Irish law to the Pact measures will make specific provision for matters relating to minors, including unaccompanied minors and age assessments, and will give effect to the requirements of the Reception Conditions Directive, Asylum Procedure Regulation and Asylum and Migration Management Regulation. My Department is engaging with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on these matters, and will continue to engage with that Department during the drafting and enactment of the Bill.
As is the case in the current system, it is envisaged that all unaccompanied minors will be referred to Tusla as soon as possible after making their application for international protection. Provision will be made in the new legislation for the appointment of representatives for unaccompanied minors, in line with the requirements of the Pact measures. The role of such a representative will be to assist and guide the minor through the international protection application process with a view to safeguarding the best interests of the child and, in particular, to assist with the lodging of the application for international protection and the personal interview.
The Pact provides for enhanced screening measures to ensure that applicants are referred to and supported through the appropriate international protection application processing pathway. The International Protection Bill will provide for the necessary safeguards for children throughout the screening and international protection application process.
The protection of fundamental rights will be at the forefront of Ireland’s implementation of the Pact. Provision will be made to establish an independent monitoring mechanism , the purpose of which will be to ensure that, during the screening process and application of the asylum border procedure, there is compliance with fundamental rights under EU and international law, including the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and to investigate allegations of breaches of same. The monitoring mechanism will serve to ensure compliance with the fundamental rights of children in the international protection process.
