Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 May 2025
296. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who are undocumented were issued with a letter confirming his intention to issue a deportation order against them, also referred to as a Section 3 letter for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21833/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a central priority for me that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the application of our laws in this area.
If a person does not have permission to be in the State a notification of intention to deport may be issued to them under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended. The notification advises such people about the options available to them at that time, including the option to be assisted to leave under my Department’s voluntary return programme; the option to voluntary return is not offered to persons who have criminal convictions. The table below details the number of notifications of intention to deport made under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, issued in 2022, 2023, 2024 and in 2025, up to and including 30 April 2025.
|
Year |
Notifications issued |
|
2022 |
604 |
|
2023 |
679 |
|
2024 |
1244 |
|
2025(To 30/04/2025) |
544 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. Please note that a letter may be withdrawn and this can impact on figures.
**Please note that International Protection applicants refused refugee status, subsidiary protection and leave to remain are issued Deportation Orders under the International Protection Act 2015 and are therefore not included in these statistics.
Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year 647 people have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 30 April 2025. So far this year, two charter flight operations have removed 71 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State. Further operations will be conducted as the year progresses.
