Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2023
23. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on the processing and decision times for people seekinginternational protection; if he will confirm that there has been a reduction in the number of those working in the section of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6874/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of the immigration system is maintained at all times. My Department is committed to reducing processing times for international protection applicants.
During 2022, the number of people claiming international protection increased significantly, with 13,651 applications made with the International Protection Office (IPO). This is a 186% increase on the same period in 2019, the last year in which application numbers were not impacted by COVID-19. There were 1306 applications made in January 2023 continuing the trend of higher numbers.
In order to speed up the processing of applications for international protection, there has been a 55% increase in staffing of the International Protection Office since 2019 (from 143 to 221 staff). This has resulted in a substantial increase in recommendations made by the IPO.
The small reduction of four administrative staff available to IPAT over recent years (from 50 to 46) has not impacted upon the number of cases processed. For context, at the end of 2022 IPAT had 850 cases on hand, and has capacity within existing resources to process 2,300 cases a year. Any suggestion that there is any backlog within the IPAT therefore appears to be a misunderstanding of the current position.
In addition to resourcing, it is important to acknowledge that action has already been taken by the Department to manage the high volume of applications by utilising all of its current resources. 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.
A new accelerated procedures for international protection applicants from safe countries of origin was introduced in November 2022 which is intended to significantly reduce processing times for first instance decisions. As it has only been recently introduced, my Department is monitoring implementation and the impact on processing times.
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. Further reforms are being examined with a view to speeding up the processing of applications.
