The Department of Justice has responded to media reports that eight people found in a shipping container at Rosslare Europort on Monday are no longer in State services.
The eight were among 14 people who were found hidden in a refrigerated container on a ship that had travelled from Zeebrugge in Belgium four days ago.
They were given medical checks and brought to a reception centre in Dublin for processing.
A garda investigation into human trafficking is under way.
Last night, when asked about reports that eight of them had gone missing, the Department of Justice said it did not comment on individual cases.
However, it added that where State accommodation was provided in such circumstances, no person was required to remain in that accommodation.
The Minister for Health said that a garda investigation is under way .
Speaking to reporters, Minister Donnelly said they are investigating if the issue was human trafficking or human smuggling but he said it is up to the people who arrive as to whether they want to apply for international protection.
Half of all international protection arrivals were men
Just under half of all arrivals seeking international protection last year were single men.
The total number of arrivals last year was 12,329. Of these 5,638 – or 45.7 %- were single males
A further 3,472 individuals - or 28% - were part of families with children.
Some 1,883 single women arrived seeking international protection - making up 15.2% of the total.
There were 870 people who arrived as part of a couple - making up seven per cent.
Of the total number of those seeking international protection last year, 2,190 - or 18% - were children.
There was a slight drop off in the number of single men seeking international protection at the start of this year.
There were 334 arrivals in the first week of January 2024 - an average of 47 per day.
These included 110 single males (32%), 39 single females (11%) and 95 children (28%).
Additional reporting Mary Regan
