Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
426. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time of applications and appeals for international protection, by quarter in each of the years 2020 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54647/26]
View answerThere 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. This year, at 10 July, IPAT has already closed 5,008 appeals and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025.
To date in 2026 the median processing time for IPO first instance decisions is 12 months (accelerated cases are processed in 3 months, while standard cases are processed in 16 months).
The median processing time for International Protection appeals is 13.2 months. The median processing time under the accelerated procedure is 6.8 months and 16.5 months for all other appeals.
The table below shows the overall median processing time in months for international protection first instance decisions in the years 2020 to end of Q1 2026 by quarter.
|
Year |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
|
2020 |
16 |
17 |
19 |
20 |
|
2021 |
22 |
27 |
23 |
22 |
|
2022 |
26 |
22 |
13 |
9 |
|
2023 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
|
2024 |
16 |
17 |
15 |
15 |
|
2025 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
|
2026 |
12 |
- |
- |
- |
The table below shows the median processing time in months for first instance international protection decisions under the accelerated procedure from 2022 to end of Q1 2026 by quarter.
|
Year |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
|
2022 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
|
2023 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
2024 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
2025 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
2026 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
All IPO first instance decisions other than Refugee Status grants can be appealed to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT).
The table below shows International Protection Appeals Tribunal median processing times in months for each quarter from 2020 to end of Q1 2026 by quarter.
|
Year |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
|
2020 |
6 |
9 |
11 |
12 |
|
2021 |
15 |
16 |
13 |
14 |
|
2022 |
15 |
13 |
10 |
4 |
|
2023 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
|
2024 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
13 |
|
2025 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
15 |
|
2026 |
11 |
- |
- |
- |
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 2026 entered into effect on 12 June 2026 and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.
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.
