Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
440. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice to provide details of the number of deportation orders that have been issued in each year since 2020, and in each month of 2024; the number that have been actioned directly by the State in these years and these months; the location of those immigrants who have received a deportation order that has not been actioned to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22638/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA 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. To introduce exit checks would require the introduction of border controls on the Island of Ireland. 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 below table sets out the number of Deportation Orders issued; and the number of Deportation Orders enforced by GNIB.
|
Year |
DOs Issued |
DOs enforced by GNIB (1) |
Non-escorted deportations (2) |
Voluntary Returns (3) |
Dublin iii Transfers (4) |
EU Removals (5) |
All Returns |
|
2020 |
872 |
43 |
97 |
201 |
15 |
33 |
389 |
|
2021 |
29 |
5 |
33 |
132 |
4 |
42 |
216 |
|
2022 |
270 |
26 |
92 |
91 |
3 |
37 |
249 |
|
2023 |
948 |
52 |
28 |
213 |
3 |
21 |
317 |
|
Jan’24 |
81 |
5 |
2 |
22 |
0 |
0 |
29 |
|
Feb’24 |
120 |
8 |
3 |
49 |
1 |
2 |
63 |
|
Mar’24 |
63 |
8 |
0 |
31 |
0 |
2 |
41 |
|
April |
180 |
12 |
0 |
34 |
1 |
5 |
52 |
|
May (17/05/24) |
142 |
4 |
0 |
30 |
1 |
0 |
35 |
*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 a previous year.
Person escorted from the state by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
Information has come to hand or by inquiry to the effect that the individual has left the state following receipt of a DO.
Persons who availed of the voluntary return programme without getting a deportation order.
Transfer to another EU State to have their application for International Protection examined.
EU Citizen removed from the State under the Free Movement Regulations (generally criminals).
In 2023 the GNIB enforced 52 DOs which is a 100% increase on the 2022 figure of 26 DOs enforced.
In 2023 there were 213 Voluntary Returns (VRs) which is over double the 2022 figure of 91 VRs.
My Department is working closely with the Office of Government Procurement in respect of the tendering process for the supply of charter flight services for Deportation. The intention is for these services to be available later in the year. In the meantime, the removal of people from Ireland (including those being transferred to EU countries and the UK) who do not have a legal right to remain in the country will be carried out by commercial flights.
Additionally, my Department and An Garda Síochána continue to engage intensively on the transfer of certain immigration functions to my Department. In April the registration of immigration residence permissions for counties Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, transferred from An Garda Síochána to my Department, which is already responsible for Dublin. It is intended that my Department will assume responsibility for registrations nationwide, the transfer is expected to be completed within the next 12 months. This will free up to 100 Gardaí to focus on other immigration enforcement work, which will include deportations.
It is not possible to provide locations to the Deputy as requested, as this would require the manual examination of large numbers of case. Such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources. Furthermore, in many instances the persons in question will no longer be present at the address originally provided. However, I can assure the Deputy that individuals who are subject to an order are obliged to comply with any reporting requirements that may be placed on them by the GNIB.
