Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
401. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many people are currently assigned to the International Protection Office Case Processing Panel; how many persons were assigned at the end of November 2022 and November 2021, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53507/23]
View answerMy Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained at all times.
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 international protection applicants. This will ensure those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here are given status, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria.
I can inform the Deputy that the IPO expects to have approximately 400 staff by the end of 2023, an increase of 95% over 2022, and will make approximately 9,000 decisions this year, more than double that made last year.
In addition to these staff, case processing panel members are contracted by the Department to make recommendations on International Protection cases to the International Protection Office. The number of panel members recruited in the IPO has also increased during 2023 to 184 at the end of November, an increase of 229% on the 56 active panel members overall in 2021 and a 142% increase on the 76 panel members active at the end of November 2022.
