Matt Shanahan
Question:1047. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice the number of asylum applications made nationally in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12359/23]
View answerTuesday, 21 March 2023
Questions (1047, 1048)
Matt Shanahan
Question:1048. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice the countries of origin of asylum seekers arriving in Ireland in the past two years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12360/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1047 and 1048 together.
My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained.
The number of International Protection applicants last year was 13,651 – a significant increase on recent years. 2019, the last comparable year pre pandemic, saw 4,780 applicants. As of 10 March, 2,436 applicants have sought protection in 2023.
The total number of applications for international protection made in the past two years, March 2021 to end February 2023 is 18,209. The breakdown by nationality can be found in the table attached.
Overall, my Department is working to minimise the timeframe for receiving a decision on an international protection application, giving status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who are deemed to be not entitled to international protection.
The Government has also committed additional funding of nearly €18m in 2023 that will also go towards increasing efficiency in processing applications, including by increasing staff numbers at the International Protection Office.
In addition to resourcing, it is important to acknowledge that action has already been taken by my Department to manage the high volume of applications by utilising all of its current resources. Since last November a number of measures have been implemented to improve efficiencies and throughput, in tandem with reforms to the application, interview and decision making process, and these are having a significant impact on processing times.
Further reforms are being examined with a view to speeding up the processing of applications.
Question No. 1048 answered with Question No. 1047.