Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
506. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if any return orders have been issued under the return border procedure since the commencement of the International Protection Act 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52746/26]
View answerThe 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.
My Department can confirm that one return decision has been issued under the return border procedure since the commencement of the International Protection Act 2026. The number of return orders is expected to increase in the coming weeks as decisions begin to issue for applicants who applied under the 2026 Act.
Faster processing under these procedures 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.
