It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. Returning people who do not have permission to remain in Ireland is undertaken through voluntary returns and deportation. Both types of returns are essential for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily, and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. In 2024, 934 people left Ireland by way of voluntary return. This year 1,244
people have left up to 10 October 2025, which is an increase of 105% compared to the same period in 2024.
Part of the voluntary return process is reintegration assistance. The current level of reintegration assistance offered is up to €1,200 per person and €2,000 per family unit. Last month, I announced that for a limited time, people who were in the International Protection process before 28 September 2025, will be offered increased reintegration assistance if they choose to avail of voluntary return at an earlier stage in the process. Anyone who applies for International Protection after this date, will not be eligible for the enhanced reintegration supports.
The increased assistance level will be offered to everyone in the International Protection process before 28 September 2025; at the end of September 2025, there were almost 34,000 applications pending at different stages of the international protection process.
This means if a person decides to opt for voluntary return up to receiving a first instance decision or before appealing a negative first instance decision their assistance will be increased to €2,500 per person to a maximum of €10,000 per family unit. If they are in the appeals process and decide to voluntary return up to an appeal decision issuing their assistance will increase, but to the lower amount of €1,500 per person and to a maximum of €6,000 per family unit. If they receive a final decision on their application, assistance will only increase for families to a maximum of €3,000 per family unit.
Increasing reintegration assistance for those at an earlier stage in the process is aimed at reducing the costs to the State and pressure on the system from the high numbers of applications received in 2023 and 2024. My officials have reviewed a wide range of arrangements across the EU and the higher levels of support are considered to be generally in line with EU norms in this area.
There are strict safeguards in place for reintegration assistance it can only be availed of once and only provided when the person’s departure from the State is confirmed. The reintegration allowance is administered only in the country of return and my Department can stop the payment if it believes the allowance is at risk of being misused.
People leaving under the voluntary programme are required to provide my officials with documentary evidence that they have left within three days of their arrival in their home country. This can include evidence of flight tickets, boarding passes, the bio-data page of their passports and the re-entry stamp in their passport with the passport number clearly shown.
In many instances, those availing of voluntary return will also be met by officials from my Department or by IOM, to ensure that their return journey is facilitated through Dublin Airport and that their departure is confirmed.
Further information and evidence will be requested if the supporting documentation submitted is not sufficient to confirm that the person has left the State. People who do not submit the required documentation within the timeframes are advised that their cases will be reverted for further processing which may result in a deportation order issuing if the person is not confirmed to have left the State.
Calculating the projected costs for people departing under the programme is complex given the number of variables. However, I can assure the Deputy if people leave earlier and voluntarily this will cost the State significantly less than removing a person by enforced deportation after a final decision has issued, including having regard to accommodation, processing and other costs.
I will be carefully monitoring its operation to ensure this programme it is working effectively and as intended.
