Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
77. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the progress being made to reduce the processing times for international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34695/26]
View answerThere has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system over the last years which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity and demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing cases on hand.
In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. As of 5 May, IPAT has closed 3,170 appeals this year and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025.
The table below shows the number of international protection applications received from 2023 to 2026.
|
Year |
International Protection Applications |
|
2023 |
13,271 |
|
2024 |
18,553 |
|
2025 |
13,153 |
|
2026* |
4,420 |
*To 10 May 2026
The table below shows IPO first instance median processing time in months from 2023 to 2026.
|
IPO First Instance Median Processing Time in Months |
|
|
2023 |
13 |
|
2024 |
16 |
|
2025 |
14 |
|
2026* |
12 |
*To 11 May 2026
Accelerated processing was introduced in November 2022, and it now applies to those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe and those from a country with a particularly high number of applications.
The table below shows the median processing time in months of applications for international protection under the accelerated procedure from 2023 to 2026.
|
IPO First Instance Median Processing Time in Months – accelerated procedure |
|
|
2023 |
2 |
|
2024 |
3 |
|
2025 |
4 |
|
2026* |
2 |
*To 11 May 2026
All IPO first instance decisions other than Refugee Status grants can be appealed to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal.
The table below shows the number of international protection appeals accepted by the IPAT from 2023 to 2026.
|
Year |
Number of Appeals Accepted |
|
2023 |
4775 |
|
2024 |
8835 |
|
2025 |
15334 |
|
2026* |
5088 |
* To 10 May 2026
The table below shows the median processing time for appeals from 2023 to 2026.
|
Year |
Median Processing Time in Months |
|
2023 |
5.5 |
|
2024 |
10.0 |
|
2025 |
12.5 |
|
2026* |
12.7 |
*To 10 May 2026
The table below shows the median processing time for appeals under the accelerated procedure from 2023 to 2026.
|
Year |
IPAT accelerated procedure median processing times in Months |
|
2023 |
4.5 |
|
2024 |
9.8 |
|
2025 |
8.6 |
|
2026* |
6.9 |
* to 10 May 2026
Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act was passed into law last month and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. My Department continues to focus on preparing for these new rules to take effect on 12 June 2026.
The Pact will provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe.
Faster processing will mean that applicants spend less time in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation, and this will significantly reduce the cost of the asylum system to the State. Faster decision-making will also mean that successful applicants will be granted international protection sooner, and those whose applications are refused can be returned to their country of origin sooner.
