Almost 3,000 unaccompanied children have arrived in Ireland over the last three years, according to a new report published today.
The report, by the Irish Refugee Council, says a significant number of these children, some as young as 14, are now living in hostels without direct supervision.
According to the study, only 5% of the total number of children who arrive alone are identified by immigration on arrival, suggesting that most are smuggled into the country.
It says some of the children are reunited with their families in Ireland, while others drop out of the asylum process early on.
