Ireland to Use Medical Exams for Disputed Asylum Seeker Ages «As Last Resort»
Ireland's Department of Justice will use medical exams as a last resort for unaccompanied young asylum seekers with disputed ages. This new practice, criticized by the Children’s Rights Alliance as unreliable and invasive, addresses challenges in placing minors. The department now solely handles age assessments, leading to a 60% drop in referrals to Tusla.
The Department of Justice announced that unaccompanied young asylum seekers with disputed ages may undergo medical examinations «as a last resort» when other assessment methods are inconclusive. This practice, new to Ireland, is deemed «unreliable, unnecessary, and possibly invasive» by the Children’s Rights Alliance (CRA).
Determining the age of unaccompanied minors is a growing issue for the department and Tusla, the child and family agency, which currently accommodates 625 unaccompanied minors, including 179 Ukrainians. Tusla finds it challenging to place those with disputed ages due to the risk of housing adults with children. Over the past four years, nearly 300 asylum seekers claiming to be children were found to be adults.
Following the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, the department became the sole authority for age assessments this month. Since January, departmental officials have conducted assessments, leading to a 60% drop in referrals to Tusla. Assessments will be multidisciplinary, conducted by trained staff and psychosocial professionals. Medical exams, if needed, will be performed with respect for dignity and consent, and decisions can be appealed. The CRA expressed concern, calling it an «unnecessary interference in a child’s bodily integrity.»