My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly and efficiently, as part of the broader Government response to this challenging issue.
The number of international protection applications in 2022 was 13,650, a significant increase on recent years. It represents a 186% increase on the number received in 2019, the most recent year in which application numbers were not impacted by Covid-19.
In July this year, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This will give 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 do not meet the criteria.
As part of this modernisation programme, I also signed a regulation in November 2022 to introduce an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. These applicants now typically receive a first instance decision in less than three months, which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months early last year.
Reforms to the international protection process will continue in 2024. Approximately €34m was allocated in budget 2024 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to continue to scale up processing.
The table below sets out the number of applications for international protection, each year from 2019 to 2023.
|
IP Applications
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023*
|
|
Total
|
4,782
|
1,566
|
2648
|
13,650
|
11,791**
|
*To 29 November 2023.
**Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
The data in the table below shows the latest statistics on decisions made per applicant for International Protection from 2019 to end October 2023*
|
Decision Year
|
Refugee Status (RS) Grants**
|
Subsidiary Protection (SP) Grants**
|
Permission to Remain (PTR) Grant (1st Instance and Final Decision)**
|
Refusal All (RS, SP & PTR)**
|
|
2019
|
951
|
163
|
427
|
1,050
|
|
2020
|
1,032
|
153
|
315
|
601
|
|
2021
|
1,105
|
95
|
1,148
|
16
|
|
2022
|
1,926
|
95
|
2,849
|
1,140
|
|
2023*
|
2,332
|
183
|
905
|
988
|
*There is no correlation between year of application and year decision is issued.
**Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
A person who wishes to make a claim for international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection status) in Ireland must be at the frontier of the State or already be present in the State under Section 15(1) of the International Protection Act 2015.
The State has a duty to protect its borders and following examination, ensure that all arriving passengers are entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights.
If a person arriving at a port of entry to the State indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. My Department examines applications for international protection by anyone who indicates they wish to make an application, this is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law.
The table below details arrivals for Dublin Airport. The Border Management Unit of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
|
Year
|
Total Arriving Passengers*
|
Total Refusals*
|
Requested Asylum*
|
|
2019
|
16,318,300
|
6,151
|
N/A**
|
|
2020
|
3,636,256
|
2,077
|
N/A**
|
|
2021
|
4,118,027
|
3,210
|
N/A**
|
|
2022
|
13,930,041
|
7,662
|
6,765
|
|
2023 YtD (31/10)
|
14,304,987
|
4,606
|
3,644
|
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
**The BMU introduced the statistical system to capture these figures in October 2021, therefore, data is only available from that time.
I can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. A person subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and all available appeals processes have been exhausted.
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is responsible for carrying out deportations. However, the Deputy will be aware that the numbers of Deportation Orders effected by GNIB does not take account of individuals who have left the State without informing my Department. It is the case that many individuals who are subject to Deportation Orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities and this particular category of individual is difficult to quantify.
|
|
|
|
|
Year Issued
|
Total IP Deportation Orders Signed*
|
Numbers Deported*
|
|
2019
|
835
|
183
|
|
2020
|
291
|
63
|
|
2021
|
0
|
17
|
|
2022
|
539
|
55
|
|
2023 YTD
|
736
|
34
|
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Numbers deported may relate to deportation orders issued in previous years.
The Deputy may also wish to know that my Department has created a website to provide a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland which can be accessed at:
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/
This site also provides detailed statistics and metrics in relation to processing of applications for protection. These statistics are published on a monthly basis.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/
