The Minister for Justice has said arrangements are already underway to welcome five children who were rescued from the Mediterranean Sea in Late December.

The children were unaccompanied when they were pulled from the water by charity-operated ships.

They were among the 49 people who were stranded at sea aboard the two ships - the Seawatch3 and Albrecht Penck - after the latest diplomatic spat between Italy and Malta left them unable to dock in either country.

The ships were finally permitted to dock in Malta yesterday after the country struck a deal with eight European countries to house a total of 298 people who were rescued in recent weeks.

Rescued people wave as they disembark in Malta, 09-01-2018. Image: Rene Rossignaud/AP/Press Association Images

Under the deal, 176 people are being sent to Ireland, Romania, Germany, France, Portugal the Netherlands and Italy.

Meanwhile, 78 will be allowed to remain in Malta while 44 people from Bangladesh are being sent home.

Speaking at the BT Young Scientists and Technology Exhibition on Dublin today, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said the children’s living arrangements in Ireland have yet to be finalised.

“Arrangements are currently underway with Tusla, as the lead agency, in conjunction with the HSE and other agencies in order to ensure that every accommodation can be made available for them and that they will settle here in Ireland at the earliest opportunity – arrangements not yet being fully finalised,” he said.