Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:79. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice the total number of international protection applications to date in 2024, in tabular form. [38194/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 25 September 2024
Ceisteanna (79)
Freagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected.
I have significantly increased investment into the international protection system, which has allowed for a major increase in processing capacity and the introduction of accelerated processing.
Last July, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme involved unparalleled investment in staff, panel members, reengineered processes, and technology.
Measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants have been implemented. This has already demonstrated results with the International Protection Office (IPO) confident of delivering over 14,000 decisions this year.
Recent strategic policy and operational approaches to speed up applications from safe countries and the country with the highest number of applications are also proving effective. Applications from designated safe countries have dropped by more than 50% since I introduced the accelerated procedure.
Application figures in the International Protection Office so far in 2024 are set out in the below table:
|
2024 |
IP Applications |
|
Total* |
15,072 |
*as of 19 th September 2024
**Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however all statistics may be subject to data cleansing
The Deputy may also wish to know that I intend to substantially increase resourcing of the entire end-to-end International Protection process, including further additional staffing over the next 12 months, to improve processing times, significantly increase removals and enhance border security.
All aspects of the international protection modernisation programme will continue to be kept under review and improved on a continuous ongoing basis.