Written Answers Nos. 605-624
605. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of international protection applications lodged; the number of first instance decisions issued by the International Protection Office; the number of appeals determined by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49505/26]
View answerI am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected.
The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third.
There has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants.
The International Protection Act 2026 gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and came into effect on 12 June 2026.
The Pact provides 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.
The below table shows the number of applications for international protection made from 2021 to 2026.
|
Year |
IP Applications 2021 to 2026* |
|
2021 |
2,647 |
|
2022 |
13,642 |
|
2023 |
13,271 |
|
2024 |
18,553 |
|
2025 |
13,144 |
|
2026 |
5,814 |
*to 11 June
The table below shows the number of international protection first instance decisions made from 2021 to 2026.
|
First instance decisions |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026* |
|
Granted (RS, SP, PTR) |
1,521 |
3,537 |
3,235 |
3,906 |
3,743 |
1,337 |
|
Percentage |
61.78% |
71.86% |
36.79% |
28.07% |
18.55% |
15.5% |
|
Refused / withdrew / inadmissible/ Dormant |
941 |
1,385 |
5,558 |
10,010 |
16,434 |
7,290 |
|
Percentage |
38.22% |
28.14% |
63.21% |
71.93% |
81.45% |
84.5% |
|
Total first instance decisions |
2,462 |
4,922 |
8,793 |
13,916 |
20,177 |
8,627 |
|
First instance decisions |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026* |
|
Granted (RS, SP, PTR) |
1,521 |
3,537 |
3,235 |
3,906 |
3,743 |
1,337 |
|
Percentage |
61.78% |
71.86% |
36.79% |
28.07% |
18.55% |
15.5% |
|
Refused / withdrew / inadmissible/ Dormant |
941 |
1,385 |
5,558 |
10,010 |
16,434 |
7,290 |
|
Percentage |
38.22% |
28.14% |
63.21% |
71.93% |
81.45% |
84.5% |
|
Total first instance decisions |
2,462 |
4,922 |
8,793 |
13,916 |
20,177 |
8,627 |
*To 25 June
All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed or set aside.
The table below shows all the decisions made by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal from 2021 to 2026.
|
Appeal decisions |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026* |
|
Granted/set aside |
385 |
496 |
446 |
819 |
1,488 |
1,047 |
|
Percentage |
36.60% |
38.15% |
28.19% |
28.54% |
27.03% |
25.22% |
|
Refused/affirmed |
667 |
804 |
1,136 |
2,051 |
4,016 |
3,104 |
|
Percentage |
63.40% |
61.85% |
71.81% |
71.46% |
72.97% |
74.78% |
|
Total |
1,052 |
1,300 |
1,582 |
2,870 |
5,504 |
4,151 |
*To 21 June 2026
The table below shows the number of appeals withdrawn/ deemed withdrawn from 2021 to 2026.
|
Year |
Withdrawn/Deemed Withdrawn |
|
2021 |
148 |
|
2022 |
266 |
|
2023 |
113 |
|
2024 |
211 |
|
2025 |
511 |
|
2026* |
240 |
To 21 June 2026
Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
607. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications for naturalisation received and the number of certificates of naturalisation issued, in each of the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49507/26]
View answerAll applications for a certificate of naturalisation are assessed individually based on the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 years. In all cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 70 days allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business, family, or holiday purposes.
The table below outlines the numbers of applications received and certificates of naturalisation issued since 2021. Applicants must attend a citizenship ceremony before they will receive a naturalisation certificate. The first ceremonies of 2026 took place last week and the naturalisation certificates are in the process of being issued. As such, the 2026 figure below represents only the number of certificates issued to minors earlier this year, as they do not need to attend a citizenship ceremony.
Table 1. Applications for naturalisation received and the number of certificates of naturalisation issued 2021 - 2026 (26/06)
|
Year |
Applications received |
Certificates issued |
|
2021 |
11,975 |
9,764 |
|
2022 |
17,204 |
13,593 |
|
2023 |
22,693 |
18,261 |
|
2024 |
32,583 |
24,057 |
|
2025 |
40,479 |
31,203 |
|
2026 (to 26/06) |
17,042 |
1,016 |
* Please note, all tables and figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
610. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps being taken to address unregulated alcohol deliveries by app delivery companies; his plans to address this issue in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49534/26]
View answerUnder existing legislation, where alcohol is purchased online, the same restrictions on the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor apply, including the restrictions in relation to hours of trading and the provisions in relation to the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor to minors.
Section 31 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, as amended, makes provision for offences relating to the sale and delivery of alcohol products to persons under the age of 18 years. It is an offence under section 31(2) for a licensee to sell or deliver, or to permit any other person to sell or deliver, alcohol products to any person for consumption off his or her licensed premises by a person under the age of 18 years in any place except with the explicit consent of the person's parent or guardian in a private residence in which he or she is present either as of right or with permission.
On conviction for a first offence, a mandatory closure order of between two and seven days will be imposed by the court, together with a fine of up to €3,000. The penalties for a second or subsequent offence is a closure order of between seven and 30 days and a fine of up to €5,000. In addition, the licence holder is required to continue to pay staff for the duration of the closure period.
Under section 17(3) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, it is an offence for a licensee, with intent to evade the conditions of the licence, to take intoxicating liquor from the licensed premises for the purpose of its being sold on the account or for the benefit or profit of the licensee, or to permit any other person to do so. The penalty on conviction is a fine of up to €1,500 for a first offence and up to €2,000 for a second or subsequent offence.
The Programme for Government commits to updating our licensing laws. This commitment will be progressed in due course.
611. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of significant delays in the processing of spouse visa applications through the Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi compared to other Irish missions, including New Delhi; the reasons for these delays; and the measures being taken to reduce waiting times and ensure timely family reunification for applicants. [49536/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department.
While processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies, the majority of visas are processed within stated target times. The current processing times of applications for join family visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit they can apply for join family visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and are typically completed in under eight weeks. My Department aims to process join family visa applications made in other circumstances within 12 months.
The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. My Department aims to process the majority of join family visa applications within this business target.
While the department makes every effort to process within business targets, local operational conditions such as the ongoing conflict, Embassy closures, shelter in place alerts from the government, have impacted processing in Abu Dhabi, in particular. Processing times and decisions at the Visa Offices in Dublin and overseas can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/.
In December 2025, the Immigration Service of my Department introduced online payment functionality to my Department's online visa system. This allows applicants to pay visa fees as part of the online application process. The initiative is being rolled out on a phased basis and is currently live in 40 countries, with South Africa added in January 2026. This reduces the administrative burden on Irish Missions.
612. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of vacant detective sergeant posts currently within Kerry division. [49553/26]
View answerUnder the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State. I engage regularly with the Commissioner and I am assured that the resourcing of each Garda Division is fully considered within the overall context of the needs and requirements of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
As Minister, my priority is getting more Gardaí into all our communities by supporting increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible. A Garda budget of €2.74 billion in 2026 will fund the recruitment of up to 1,000 new Gardaí, 200 more Garda staff and additional members of the Garda Reserve.
The Garda Commissioner and his senior management team keep the distribution of resources under ongoing review and I understand that, when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan.
The Commissioner also takes the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads;
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
• Minimum establishment statistics;
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda personnel nationally. This includes a breakdown of Garda Members assigned by Garda Station from 2010 to the end of April 2026, the latest date for which figures are available. This can be found at the following links:
Information for 2026 can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/information-centre/garda-statistics/human%20resources/.
Information for previous years can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/december-2025.html
613. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of Garda members, sergeants, inspectors and civilian staff assigned to K district; the number of vacancies currently in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49564/26]
View answerUnder the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State. I engage regularly with the Commissioner and I am assured that the resourcing of each Garda Division is fully considered within the overall context of the needs and requirements of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
As Minister, my priority is getting more Gardaí into all our communities by supporting increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation where possible. A Garda budget of €2.74 billion in 2026 will fund the recruitment of up to 1,000 new Gardaí, 200 more Garda staff and additional members of the Garda Reserve.
The Garda Commissioner and his senior management team keep the distribution of resources under ongoing review and I understand that, when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan.
The Commissioner also takes the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads;
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
• Minimum establishment statistics;
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
An Garda Síochána publishes information in relation to the allocation of Garda personnel nationally. This includes a breakdown of Garda Members assigned to the DMR West Garda Division, of which the Blanchardstown Community Engagement Area (formerly known as the K District) is part, by Garda Station from 2010 to the end of May 2026, the latest date for which figures are available. This can be found at the following links:
Information for 2026 can be found at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/information-centre/garda-statistics/human%20resources/.
Information for previous years can be found at the following link www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/december-2025.html:
614. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on his Department’s priorities for Ireland’s EU Council Presidency. [49584/26]
View answerMy Department is committed to playing its part in delivering a successful Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins tomorrow. This will be a significant undertaking for Ireland, particularly in the Justice and Home Affairs, and Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Councils, which we are preparing for at Government and Departmental levels.
Ireland’s policy programme for the Presidency was published on 10 June and sets out our ambitions for the six-month period. Priorities in my area of responsibility are centred around three themes which overlap significantly with my domestic priorities; advancing a fair, firm, rules-based approach to migration, asylum and returns; keeping Europe safe and secure; and the protection of fundamental rights and the rule of law and promotion of digitalisation.
detail on the priorities and ambitions under each of these headings can be found in the Justice and Home Affairs Council and the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council Chapters of the Presidency Policy Programme, published at the following link: irish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/media/3wkh4tto/irish-presidency-of-the-council-of-the-european-union-2026.pdf.
615. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if an application for an IRP card (details supplied) can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49608/26]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy applied to renew their immigration permission on 02 May 2026 and this application is currently in the queue for consideration.
The Registration Office within Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of my Department provide a live application processing date broken down by stamp category, which is updated every Monday, and is available at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-renew-your-current-permission/renewing-your-registration-permission-if-you-live-in-the-republic-of-ireland/.
I understand that the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I can assure the Deputy that my Department is exploring every avenue available to facilitate as many customers as possible and to increase processing capacity.
The Registration Office is open seven days a week to facilitate customers to process both first time registration appointments and online renewals. Additional staff have been assigned to this work, which has now begun to reduce the processing time for renewals. For certain categories of renewals, the processing time is now approximately 6 - 8 weeks from the time of initial application, with no category exceeding a wait time of 16 weeks.
If the application is approved, the person concerned can expect to receive their new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card within the following 10-15 working days.
The Registration Office has also issued a notice to employers regarding the legality of employing someone awaiting renewal. If an employee’s Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card has expired and they are unable to obtain a new one by the expiry date of their current IRP card, they are still legally permitted to remain in the State on their existing IRP card for a maximum of 12 weeks. This is subject to the applicant submitting their renewal application prior to their current IRP card expiring. Further information on this notice can be found here: [Notice to Employers - Immigration Service Delivery].
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at www.portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
616. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the regulations required to re-establish local government community safety forums. [49609/26]
View answerThere are a wide variety of local community safety fora across the country, some of which are managed by local authorities.
Whilst there is provision in the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act to make regulations for area-based neighbourhood community safety fora, these are in replacement of Local Policing Fora as provided for under the Garda Act 2005.
It is anticipated that Local Community Safety Partnerships will, in time, review their local community safety landscape, including the existence of Local Policing Fora, local community safety fora, and other similar structures to identify whether they serve the current community safety needs of their functional area.
Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) represent a significant step towards a more collaborative, responsive, and locally driven model of public safety. They will play a major role in enhancing public safety alongside An Garda Síochána, residents, businesses and state agencies.
I signed regulations, which came into effect on 30 June 2025, that provide for the establishment of LCSPs in each local authority area across the country. These regulations set out how LCSPs will operate in practice, transparently and efficiently, with a clear mandate and strong local engagement at their core.
On 31 July 2025, the National Office for Community Safety circulated Guidance for the Operation of LCSPs to Chief Executives of local authorities and their staff to support the establishment of the LCSP in their administrative area. A copy of the guidance was also sent to the Association of Irish Local Government on the same date, for onward circulation to their members.
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced in April 2025, provides for the establishment of 36 LCSPs within each local authority area. 35 of 36 LCSPs have now been formally established under the Act and meetings have already taken place.
I approved the membership of the final LCSP, in Limerick, on 9 June 2026 and the inaugural meeting is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.
Under section 116 of the Act, LCSPs are independent, community-led bodies mandated to design tailored safety plans based on local priorities. They make their own decisions as to their day-to-day activity, operating in accordance with Statutory Regulations and having regard to Guidance from the National Office for Community Safety. Queries relating to their work should be directed to the relevant Safety Partnership. Contact details for LCSPs are available at this link: justicegovie.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/45c092b0ff534dd48bce257bbe7a7dc0.
617. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he would consider an amendment to apply the safeguards for use of common areas under the Multi-Use Development Act 2011 to commercial-only units (where there are no residential units); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49620/26]
View answerThe Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 (MUDs Act) was enacted with the primary objective of reforming the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments, and facilitating the fair, efficient and effective management of owners' management companies (OMCs).
In a purely commercial enterprise park in Ireland, the Multi-Unit Developments (MUD) Act 2011 does not apply. Rights, obligations, and ownership are entirely dictated by contract law through an individual lease agreement or freehold title deed. Service charge arrangements are usually set out in detail in the lease or related management documentation.
Under the Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, responsibility for the regulation of OMCs and the Multi-Unit Development Act is to be transferred from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This will streamline support for OMCs and improve oversight. The transfer of functions is expected to happen shortly following enactment of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026.
The new housing action plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness’ which was published in November 2025, commits the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to undertake a review of the Act once the responsibility has transferred.
618. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will instruct his Department to examine a case (details supplied) and engage with the family. [49634/26]
View answerMigration plays an important role in Ireland's economic, social, and community life. For those granted international protection, the ability to reunite with close family members can be a significant factor in supporting stability and integration.
As previously advised, the application referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed. All such applications are processed in chronological order, having regard to the individual circumstances of each case.
It is recognised that all applicants for family reunification wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
The Family Reunification Unit of my Department will contact the applicant directly in relation to any outstanding requirements regarding the application and will revert immediately once a decision has been reached.
619. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide figures of the cost overruns by his Department, relative to the budgeted amount in Budget 2026; the cost overruns by his Department, relative to the budgeted amount in Budget 2026 for each State Agency under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49663/26]
View answerReferring to the May 2026 Fiscal Monitor, which is available online here: assets.gov.ie/static/documents/7fac352a/Fiscal_Monitor_May_2026.pdf, the gross voted current expenditure for the Justice Vote Group totalled €2,349 million with a total gross voted capital expenditure of €94 million. Total net voted current and capital expenditure for the Justice vote Group to the end of May 2026 totalled € 2,306 million.
While expenditure at individual programme levels varies across profiles with slight variance either ahead or behind profile, there were no significant cost overruns to the end of May 2026 relative to the budget in my Department and the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department. The only exception to this is the Irish Prison Service which is showing an overall net variance ahead of profile of €6.8 million.
The main cost driver in the Irish Prison Service is prisoner numbers which have increased rapidly over the past number of years. Prisoner numbers were at their highest level ever on 24 March 2026 at 5,909, 125% bed capacity.
620. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the precise type of work carried out by persons subject to community service orders. [49681/26]
View answer621. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the locations of work carried out by persons subject to community service orders. [49682/26]
View answer622. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if work is carried out on behalf of local authorities or in conjunction with local authorities by persons subject to community service orders. [49683/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 620, 621 and 622 together.
Community Service Orders (CSOs) are a direct alternative to a custodial sentence. The Probation Service has legal responsibility for the assessment, management and revocation of Community Service Orders in line with the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act 1983 and the Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Act 2011.
This legislation provides for the performance of between 40 and 240 hours of unpaid work in the community by a person who is 16 years and over, who has been convicted in court of an offence, for which the appropriate penalty would be a specified custodial sentence.
On 9 January, I published the Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill, which is currently before the Seanad. The Bill proposes amendments to the Community Service Act 1983 to support and encourage greater use of CSOs and community sanctions. It includes an amendment to oblige the courts to consider a CSO in lieu of a prison sentence of up to 24 months’ duration (the current such threshold being 12 months) and to give reasons where they consider that a CSO should not be imposed in such a case. It will further amend sections 3 and 5 of the 1983 Act to increase the maximum community service hours that a judge may order from 240 to 480.
Community Service work is undertaken in two ways, either in small group work sites, supervised by Community Service Supervisors employed by the Probation Service, or in individual placements, where the supervision is carried out by arrangement with a host organisation.
Community Service sites include community centres, sports clubs, HSE hospital grounds, schools, churches and graveyards, hostels, charities, horticultural sites. Projects undertaken by those issued with a Community Service Order can include gardening and grounds work, landscaping, Tidy Towns participation and litter collection, painting and decorating and graffiti removal.
623. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the median and longest processing times for first-instance international protection decisions in 2025, in the context of 13,146 applications received that year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49727/26]
View answerI am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust, and rules based, and that our borders are protected.
The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third with over 13,000 applications received.
There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system over the last number of 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.
In 2025 the overall median processing time for IPO first instance decisions was 14 months. Accelerated cases were processed in four months, while standard cases were processed in 16 months.
In 2025, the longest processing time for an IPO first instance decisions was 85 months under normal procedure and 30 months under accelerated procedure.
It should be noted that in the very small number of cases with unusually long processing times, these are typically attributable to circumstances outside of the control of the Department.
The reasons for such extended delays in processing can include an applicant who may have an ongoing Judicial Review, certain applicants may be uncontactable or missing, or may be a child with a separate application where a parent has already received a decision but contact has not been maintained with the Department. Some applicants may not be co-operating with the application process itself.
Arrangements have been put in place to appropriately resolve such cases without further delay wherever feasible.
The International Protection Act 2026 gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and came into effect on 12 June 2026.
The Pact provides 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.
624. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of international protection applicants currently accommodated in the Cork area; the number of IPAS accommodation centres operating in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49728/26]
View answerAll applicants for international protection are entitled to material reception conditions under EU and Irish law.
The State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people in 303 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country.
At the moment, there are 701 international protection applicants accommodated in the Cork City Council area and 1,483 in Cork County Council area, across 22 accommodation centres in total.
IPAS publishes weekly statistics in relation to international protection applicants accommodated, which gives a regular update on numbers of centres and residents, and information on people accommodated by county.
These statistics are located on the Gov.ie website: www.gov.ie/en/international-protection-accommodation-services-ipas/publications/facts-and-figures/.
