Ms Tracy O'Keeffe:

The asylum procedures regulation requires that a clear and specific age assessment framework be put in place. Under the Bill, the determining authority with responsibility for undertaking multidisciplinary age assessments will be the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. The requirements will be set out clearly in the Bill. We recognise there is a gap. While work was ongoing in this regard in relation to the general scheme, it was not concluded in time to be included in the published general scheme, but it will be in the published Bill. The Department is in ongoing, extensive consultation and co-operation with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and Tusla as to how best to make provision for it. That work is ongoing and it will be in the Bill.