Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2025
939. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons who have been placed in prisons pending their deportation from the State since September 2024, by month and place of detention. [49016/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so, within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, is committing a criminal offence and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda Síochána. Such an order remains on the person’s record permanently, unless revoked – it means they may not enter Ireland again in future.
The enforcement of deportation orders, and the detention of people prior to their removal, is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). If a person has not complied with their requirement to present to GNIB or has not left the State, they may be detained under Section 5 of the Immigration Act 1999 for up to 56 days for the purpose of ensuring their deportation from the State. An application to extend this period of detention must be made to the District Court.
The prescribed places of detention are contained in the Immigration Act 1999 (Deportation) Regulations 2005 and are: Castlerea Prison, Cloverhill Prison, Cork Prison, Limerick Prison, Midlands Prison, Mountjoy Prison, and Wheatfield Prison, as well as all Garda Síochána stations. However, not all of these locations are used for this purpose.
It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued.
My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 2,846 deportation orders have been signed up to 12 September 2025.
Last year, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 254% compared to 2023 (318). This year 1,436 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 12 September 2025.
Data is not collated in the manner requested by the Deputy, however, table 1 below details the number of deportations in 2024 and 2025.
I can advise the Deputy that up to 12 September of this year, there have been 235 enforced deportations (i.e. requiring escort), the majority of these cases have involved periods of detention prior to departure. Of the 106 people removed by charter flight, 84 were held in custody immediately prior to the flight. Any children removed have been returned as part of family units. The children and their mothers were not detained in advance of their removal.
Table 1: Deportations 2024 and 2025
|
Year |
2024 |
2025* |
|
Enforced Deportations |
134 |
129 |
|
Removed by Charter |
N/A |
106 |
|
Otherwise Confirmed Deportations (1) |
22 |
40 |
|
Total Deportations |
156 |
275 |
* to 12/09/2025
** Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
1. Otherwise confirmed deportation is where it has been confirmed the individual has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted.
