I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected.
I have significantly increased investment into the international protection system, which has allowed for a significant increase in processing capacity and the introduction of accelerated processing.
Last July, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme involved unparalleled investment in staff, panel members, reengineered processes, and technology. We have implemented measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This has already demonstrated results with the IPO confident of delivering over 14,000 decisions this year.
One of the priority areas of focus has been to recruit both civil servants and panel members, to increase case processing. The International Protection Office now has over 400 staff, an increase of 95% over 2022. The IPO made 2,482 first instance determinations in 2021, 4323 in 2022, 9,000 in 2023 and are confident of delivering over 14,000 decisions this year. I intend to continue to ramp up investment at every stage in the international protection system.
Reforms to the international protection process will continue in 2024. Approximately €34m additional funding was allocated in Budget 2024 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to continue to scale up processing.
Since I introduced accelerated processing in November 2022, applications from eight designated safe countries have dropped by 50%. I added two additional countries to the safe country list earlier this year and eight more are under review.
I recently extended fast processing to whatever country has the highest number of applicants. This will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
These measures, and all other aspects of the international protection modernisation programme will continue to be kept under review and improved on a continuous ongoing basis.
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is responsible for the provision of accommodation and related services to applicants who wish to accept such services. The Department works closely with IPAS to ensure that it has up to date information on the status of persons who have applied for international protection.
The table below details the number of applications that were in the international protection system awaiting either a decision on their international protection application or their application for leave to remain.
|
Pending
|
Total
|
|
2022
|
14103
|
|
2023
|
18314
|
|
2024*
|
20696
|
*Up to 31st March 2024
**Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
As of 30th April 2024 there were 21,577 applicants awaiting a first instance decision at the IPO. Of these, 98% (21,080) have been in the system for less than 2 years and almost 70% are less than 1 year.
The table below details the number that had been granted status either international protection or Permission to Remain. In 2023, 64% of IP applications were refused (or withdrew or were deemed inadmissible), while 36% received a permission to remain.
|
Determinations
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024*
|
|
Permission to Remain (PTR) Grant
|
2078
|
534
|
75
|
|
Refugee Status (RS) Grant
|
1390
|
2471
|
697
|
|
Subsidiary Protection (SP) Grant
|
69
|
237
|
71
|
|
Refused (RS,SP and PTR)
|
867
|
5166
|
1,666
|
|
Withdrawals
|
491
|
361
|
72
|
|
Deemed Inadmissible
|
87
|
184
|
184
|
|
Total
|
4,982
|
8,953
|
2,765
|
*Up to 31st March 2023
**Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda Síochána. Such an order remains on the person’s record permanently – it means they cannot enter Ireland again in future, and it will likely also have an impact on their ability to travel to the UK and the EU.
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) carries out inquiries to confirm that people have removed themselves from the State, and works closely with my Department to enforce deportations where this is not the case. In addition to the enforced deportations and those that are otherwise confirmed to have left, we know that a much larger number of people will have left the State without being escorted; however, as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to accurately quantify this number.
Enforced deportation operations are complex and costly. They often involve detailed detection work, detentions in custody, legal challenges, complications with obtaining travel documents, and of course, the cost of flights and related matters. Alternatives to forced removals, such as assisted returns, are therefore typically preferential because they are easier, cheaper and faster to carry out.
Most people ordered to leave the State will comply. My Department provides assistance through a voluntary return programme to eligible individuals who opt for this process and who then benefit from assistance to reintegrate back into their home country. Where this type of return is effected, a Deportation Order is not required.
The total number of IP deportation orders issued in 2022 and 2023 and 2024 up to March 30 2024 is outlined below.
|
Year
|
IP Deportations issued
|
|
2024
|
283*
|
|
2023
|
835
|
|
2022
|
250
|
*To 30th
March 2024.
**Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
The EU Migration and Asylum Pact, if approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas will introduce legally binding processing times, increase screening and border checks, and improve the efficiency and efficacy of the returns system.
