Ms Kate Duggan:

It is about 100 per month. We spoke about this previously. To date this year, 547 new referrals have presented at our offices so that is up about 13% on the same period last year. At the end of August, and it has since increased, 528 young people in the care of Tusla were separated children. That is up 34% on last year. It is a new demand we did not really have two or three years ago. They must all be given an emergency place of safety. We will be appearing before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration next week and are looking forward to that opportunity in respect of the EU migration pact. Under the law, age determination is the responsibility of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and the International Protection Office.

If a young person claims to be a minor or under 19, or is perceived to be, he or she is presented to our staff to determine whether he or she is eligible for services for under-18s. There is a principle of equity. We are challenged with our emergency placements. In one week, we could have 20 new young people to be accommodated on top of those who were taken in through section 12 or through significant breakdowns.