Written Answers Nos. 335-354
335. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on recent reports (details supplied) that the child benefit payment system is subject to abuse by non-resident nationals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52853/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection is committed to ensuring that only those who are eligible, receive social welfare payments. Achieving this requires that robust safeguards are in place that secure our payment systems, detect fraud and error, and prevent fraudulent claiming.
In order to apply for Child Benefit both the mother and child must have a valid Personal Public Service numbers (PPSN). The mother must present themselves at a PPSN allocation canter in Ireland and provide identity documentation including proof of address dated within the last 3 months. Babies born in the State must have their birth registered before they can be allocated a PPSN. These processes can not be completed in one day.
Child Benefit is also subject to Habitual Residence condition, which means that the customer:
• has proven close ties with Ireland;
• has been living in Ireland for some time;
• intends to stay in Ireland for the foreseeable future.
A Child Benefit claim where a customer fails to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition is disallowed.
The Department of Social Protection carries out a range of control measures across all its schemes to prevent, detect and deter fraud. These includes checks both at the award stage and subsequent reviews.
Child Benefit claims are reviewed every 12 to 18 months where the claimant must prove that they remain eligible for the scheme.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
336. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons from 2018 to date who have had child benefit payments ended because of fraud or because they were found to have misled his Department with respect to compliance and eligibility rules; the estimated cost to the taxpayer involving such cases in terms of monies that were paid out that should not have been paid out to claimants during this time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52854/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17 and 18 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
Overpayments of social welfare entitlements can occur where a person provides false or misleading information in their application or through error on the part of either the claimant or the Department. Persons who have been overpaid have a liability to refund these monies.
The table below sets out the number of overpayments raised and their associated value in cases where fraudulent activity was suspected in Child Benefit. These cases arose where a deciding officer was satisfied that there is sufficient evidence that a person deliberately provided false or misleading information or willfully concealed relevant information in relation to their entitlement. The Deputy will appreciate that there is a high evidential standard to be met in such cases.
|
Year |
No of Suspected Fraud Cases stopped |
Value of Overpayments |
|
2018 |
15 |
€108,785.60 |
|
2019 |
12 |
€220,376.60 |
|
2020 |
8 |
€172,452.90 |
|
2021 |
9 |
€133,975.60 |
|
2022 |
4 |
€77,820.00 |
|
2023 |
7 |
€68,960.00 |
|
2024 |
8 |
€67,960.00 |
It should also be noted that eight persons were subject to criminal prosecution following Child Benefit fraud for this period.
Control reviews on the Child Benefit scheme can arise from various sources including the Continuing Eligibility Certification process or from a change of circumstance for the customer. As per the most recent published Control Annual Report (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/collections/annual-reports-compliance-and-anti-fraud-strategy/) there were 289,767 control reviews carried out for Child Benefit in 2023.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
337. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of money reimbursed to private operators since 2022 for the operation of the free travel scheme for over-66s, broken down by year and by operator, in tabular form. [52876/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra338. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Social Protection for a breakdown of the current cost of the free travel pass scheme; the number of people currently availing of a free travel pass; and the average cost of the free travel pass per year for an individual. [52877/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra339. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Social Protection whether payment rates for private operators included in the free travel scheme are based on actual use of free travel on routes, estimated usage or through some other means of calculating the level of payment to these operators. [52878/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 337 to 339, inclusive, together.
The free travel scheme is available to people over 66 years and to people in receipt of certain social welfare payments, or those medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months, who are over 17 and under 66 years. Free Travel recipients must be permanently resident in the State. The scheme permits travel for free on most CIÉ public transport services, Luas, Local Link and some 71 private operators. Free travel is also available on cross border journeys, and within Northern Ireland, for those over age 66.
At the end of August 2025, there were 1,140,359 qualified primary recipients; and the total number of beneficiaries increases to over 1.95 million when spouse and companion passes are included. €107.6 million has been provided for the fee travel scheme in 2025. My Department does not receive data on free travel usage by individual customers and therefore it is not possible to estimate the average cost of the free travel pass per year for an individual customer.
Payment rates for private operators in the free travel scheme are determined by way of a survey of the level of usage by free travel passholders on a service. Surveys are carried out for one week every second month for 6 months which encompasses one calendar year in duration. The rate of payment made to Operators is based on the journey data compiled during the survey.
My Department is currently assessing the use of real time fares foregone data in respect of free travel passenger usage, where such data can be provided by an operator using the integrated ticketing system to determine the rate of payment to individual operators going forward.
The table below details the amount paid to private Operators since 2022.
|
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
|
€19.71 million |
€16.4 million |
€15.5 million |
My Department is not in a position to provide an individual breakdown by individual private transport operator, as this is commercially sensitive.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
340. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has raised concerns regarding the circulation of asylum coaching materials; and the actions taken to address these concerns. [52787/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra341. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures in place in State-contracted accommodation centres to ensure that residents are not assisted by third parties in preparing fraudulent or coached asylum applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52788/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra363. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the safeguards currently in place within the International Protection Office to detect coached or rehearsed asylum claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52782/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra364. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of international protection applications since 2020 that have been refused, withdrawn, or deemed in admissible following concerns about fabricated, coached, or inconsistent testimony; if he will provide this data on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52783/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra365. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the nature of the training provided to International Protection Office caseworkers in order to identify coached or scripted interview responses; and if he is satisfied that these procedures are adequate. [52784/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra366. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has identified the circulation of coaching documents, interview scripts, or similar materials for asylum applicants; the steps taken when such documents are discovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52785/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra367. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the penalties or consequences for applicants who knowingly submit false or coached claims; and whether he intends to strengthen such measures to safeguard the integrity of the asylum system. [52786/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 340, 341 and 363 to 367, inclusive, together.
I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland's International Protection system is robust and rules based.
The International Protection process is in place to determine if an applicant has a well-founded fear of persecution, or is at risk of serious harm in their country of origin.
In regard to training, the complex nature of the International Protection Act 2015 requires in-depth training for staff. The IPO works closely with the UNHCR and the European Union Asylum Agency in developing and delivering this training to staff and panel members.
Insofar as information which might be relied upon by applicants is concerned, there is a considerable amount of country of origin information in the public domain in various formats. A key focus in the training, supervision and quality assurance of our process is in assessing the credibility of an individual application, including where it seeks to rely on circumstances in a country of origin which might give rise in general terms to a well founded fear of persecution.
The information requested by the Deputy on the reasons for refusal of international protection is not recorded in a manner that allows the information to be extracted from the relevant databases.
342. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number and percentage of prisoners attending prison education and training centres at present and during each of the past five years; the strategy to ensure greater take-up of such provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52637/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrisoner care and rehabilitation is a core aim of the Irish Prison Service. The organisation prioritises a balanced approach to its care and custody functions, and seeks to manage sentences in a way that encourages and supports prisoners in their efforts to live law abiding and purposeful lives on release.
Education in prisons is delivered in partnership with the Education Training Boards (ETBs). A broad and flexible curriculum is provided from basic literacy through to state examinations and Open University. All prisoners are encouraged to attend education. Those who attend, engage in an education interview with the Head or Deputy Head Teacher where they discuss and agree their individual student timetable. Numbers who can attend the education unit in each prison is determined by factors such as education subject, size of the classroom and the number of prisoners who are interested in that subject.
Work training is also available in all prisons, with all prisoners encouraged to engage in some work training activity which provides constructive routine during time spent in custody. A wide range of training workshops operate within the institutions e.g. printing, hairdressing, braille, woodwork, metalwork, construction, industrial cleaning, crafts, horticulture catering and laundry. The work training function is staffed by Irish Prison Service Work Training Officers. Workshop sizes and numbers of prisoners who can attend workshops may be determined by factors such as type of workshop, capacity of workshop and the number of prisoners who are interested in and assessed as suitable for participation in that workshop.
The Irish Prison Service has also expanded the number of accredited courses and opportunities available to prisoners in the area of work-training. Enhanced partnership arrangements with accrediting bodies such as City and Guilds and the Guild of Cleaners and Launderers have enabled the Irish Prison Service to extend the number of available courses and activities with certification.
A Prison Education Taskforce to improve education and upskilling across the criminal justice system, starting with prison education was established in May 2023.
The Taskforce is jointly chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills and the Minister of State with responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice.
The Taskforce is implementing innovative approaches in prison education including the piloting of qualifications in retrofitting and catering, implementation of further opportunities in relation to traineeships including scoping potential for apprenticeships. Work of the Taskforce complements the goals of the Building Pathways Together employment strategy for those in contact with the Criminal Justice System.
The following table outlines the percentage of prisoners attending education and the numbers and percentages of prisoners attending work training in Quarter 1 2025 and the previous five years. Owing to limitations in current IT systems, only the percentage of prisoners attending education and blended learning opportunities is available.
|
Year |
% of total prison population attending prison education classes and blended learning |
Average % of prison population participating in work training per session** |
Average number of prison population participation in work training per session** |
Average attendance at work training as a percentage of capacity of work training |
|
Q1 2025 |
54% |
27% |
987 |
69% |
|
2024 |
45% |
27% |
975 |
67% |
|
2023 |
37% |
28% |
949 |
64% |
|
2022 |
33% |
27% |
783 |
57% |
|
2021 |
28% |
27% |
718 |
52.9% |
|
2020 |
35% |
29% |
754 |
59% |
**Work Training sessions are: am/pm and evenings.
343. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of cases before the Small Claims Court in each of the years 2020 to 2024; the plans for developing the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52638/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
344. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware that, in relation to visa decisions, wait times for the spouse of an Irish citizen has grown from less than one year, in 2023, to over two years now; the steps being taken to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52643/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that there are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department.
In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to 2023, with over 35,000 additional applications received. These increases have continued, in the first eight months of 2025, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 151,000 visa applications and has issued over 134,000 decisions. This reflects an increase in applications of 5% compared to the same period in 2024. My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 5,500 additional visa decisions have issued in the first eight months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. Staffing levels are kept under ongoing review having regard to demands placed on my Department’s Immigration Service Delivery function generally. This year additional resources and staff have been assigned to my Department’s Visa Division in response to the growing demand for these services.
My Department aims to process join family visa applications for family members of Irish nationals within 12 months. While processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target; in the first eight months of 2025 the average processing time for a join family application sponsored by an Irish national was 230 days. This figure includes join family visa applications made by spouses, children and other family members. Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors and some applications may take considerably longer than average to progress to finalisation. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
At this time, the Dublin Visa Office is considering join family visa applications for family members of Category A sponsors, which includes Irish Citizens, received from 13 September 2023. I can advise the Deputy the date published on the website of the Dublin Visa Office is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may result in the published processing date remaining unchanged. I can assure you that this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.
I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the people impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland. My Department is committed to providing the best possible service to applicants. To provide greater clarity, officials in my Department are currently in the process of updating the Immigration Service website for processing times for decisions on visa applications by the Dublin Visa Office.
345. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a list of all the local community safety partnerships set to be established within in the Fingal local authority area in 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52666/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI signed regulations which came into effect on 30 June 2025, that provide for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships in each local authority area across the country.
A total of 36 Partnerships are now being rolled out nationwide. This includes one in each of the Dublin City Council administrative areas, five in total (Central, North Central, North West, South Central, South East); and two in the Fingal local authority administrative area – Fingal North, and Fingal West.
On 31 July 2025, the National Office for Community Safety circulated Guidance for the Operation of Local Community Safety Partnerships to Chief Executives of local authorities and their staff to support the establishment of the Local Community Safety Partnerships in their administrative area. A copy of the guidance was also sent to the Association of Irish Local Government on the same date, for onward circulation to their members.
346. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda attestations to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52667/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy.
599 Gardaí attested from the Garda College across 2024. 423 have attested so far in 2025 with a further attestation scheduled for later this year.
The table below outlines the number who attested in each relevant month across 2024 and so far in 2025.
|
Attestation date |
Number Attested |
|
March 2024 |
165 |
|
June 2024 |
157 |
|
September 2024 |
108 |
|
December 2024 |
169 |
|
March 2025 |
149 |
|
June 2025 |
120 |
|
August 2025 |
154 |
347. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the recognition rate, including appeals, for all international protection applicants; and the recognition rate, including appeals, for applicants from designated safe countries of origin, to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52688/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times.
There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity. In 2024 the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first-instance decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023. To end September 2025, it has delivered over 15,000 decisions, an increase of 52% over the same period last year. The Government will continue to invest in the end-to-end international protection process to speed up decision making.
Accelerated processing was introduced in November 2022, and it now applies to those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe and those from a country with a particularly high number of applications. Since the introduction of accelerated processing, the number of applicants from these groups has dropped significantly.
The table below shows all international protection first instance decisions made in 2025. Broken down by those granted an International Protection Status of either Refugee Status (RD) or Subsidiary Protection (SP) and those not granted an International Protection Status.
|
2025 IPO First Instance Decisions* |
|
|
|
- |
Number |
% of Overall Decisions |
|
Granted RS/SP |
2506 |
16.60% |
|
Not Granted IP (1) |
12,588 |
83.39% |
|
Total |
15,094 |
100% |
(1) Not granted IP refers to people who were not granted international protection status in a first instance decision. In these circumstances a small number of people may be granted permission to remain or will have withdrawn their applications, but the majority of applications have been refused in the first instance.
*To 01 October 2025.
The table below shows all international protection first instance decisions made in 2025 for applicants from safe countries of origin only. Broken down by those granted an International Protection Status of either Refugee Status (RD) or Subsidiary Protection (SP) and those not granted an International Protection Status.
|
First Instance Decisions for IP applicants from safe countries of origin in 2025* |
Number |
Percentage |
|
Granted (RS,SP) |
77 |
4% |
|
Not Granted IP |
1,641 |
96% |
|
Total |
1,718 |
100% |
*To 01 October 2025.
(1) Not granted IP refers these people who were not granted international protection status in a first instance decision. In these circumstances a small number of people may be granted permission to remain or will have withdrawn their applications, but the majority of applications have been refused in the first instance.
All IPO first instance decisions other than Refugee Status grants can be appealed to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT).
The table below shows all IPAT decisions issued in 2025.
|
IPAT Decisions in 2025* |
Number |
Percentage |
|
Granted/Set Aside |
1104 |
28% |
|
Refused/Affirmed |
2807 |
72% |
|
Total |
3911 |
100% |
*To 27 September 2025.
The table below shows the number of IPAT decisions issued in 2025 for International Protection applicants from safe countries of origin only.
|
IPAT Decisions for IP applicants from safe countries of origin in 2025* |
Number |
Percentage |
|
Granted/Set Aside |
326 |
21% |
|
Refused/Affirmed |
1217 |
79% |
|
Total |
1543 |
100% |
*To 27 September 2025.
Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
348. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average waiting time to receive a response from the South Africa visa office for applicants who wish to come to Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52690/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that on 10 July 2024 visa requirements were introduced for nationals of South Africa, bringing our arrangements into alignment with the visa requirements of Schengen members states, and with those of the UK.
The Dublin Visa Office have established a dedicated “South Africa Desk” to process applications from residents of South Africa. My Department also established Visa Application Centres, located throughout South Africa, with visa service provider VFS Global. This is to ensure the facilitation of legitimate travel with processes that are robust, effective, and fair.
I can advise the Deputy the majority of visas received by the South Africa Desk are being processed within the target processing times. In the first eight months of 2025 the average processing time for a short term visit visa was 11 weeks, for short term business visas it was 6 weeks and for long term employment visas it was 9 weeks.
There are several categories of visas being processed by the South Africa Desk, each with an individual processing target.
Table 1 below details the current target processing times for visa applications submitted to the South Africa Visa Desk:
|
Visa Category |
Target Processing Time (From date of receipt by the South Africa Visa Desk) |
|
Visit Family/Friend |
10 – 12 Weeks |
|
Tourist |
Approx. 14 Weeks |
|
Business / Conference / Event |
10 – 12 Weeks |
|
Employment |
10 – 12 Weeks |
|
Study |
Approx. 14 Weeks |
|
Other Short Stay Categories e.g. Exam, Training |
6 – 8 Weeks |
|
Join Family |
|
|
Join Family (Sponsor is an Irish citizen or is in Category A) |
Approx. 6 Months |
|
Join Family (Sponsor is in Category B) |
Approx. 12 Months |
If an application has significantly exceeded the above times, it is possible that, on initial assessment, the application has not met the criteria to be issued a visa, and further assessment/verification is required. In such instances, processing times will be longer than those stated above.
The South Africa Desk publishes guidance for applicants, target processing times and weekly decision reports, at the following webpage: www.irishimmigration.ie/south-africa-visa-desk/
People are advised that unforeseen delays can arise, which are outside the control of the Visa Desk. Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged.
In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to 2023, with over 35,000 additional applications received. These increases have continued, in the first eight months of 2025, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 151,000 visa applications and has issued over 134,000 decisions. This reflects an increase in applications of 5% compared to the same period in 2024. My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 5,500 additional visa decisions have issued in the first eight months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible. Staffing levels are kept under ongoing review having regard to demands placed on my Department’s Immigration Service Delivery function generally. This year additional resources and staff have been assigned to my Department’s Visa Division in response to the growing demand for these services.
Any applicant can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s new Customer Service portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.
349. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to the application under the humanitarian admissions programme (details supplied); if he will advise the family of these applicants that live in Ireland the best course of action to take to support their family members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52717/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetween 2021 and 2024, Ireland welcomed over 700 people who were refugees from Afghanistan through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme's Afghan Programme.
Within the remit of IRPP, a Humanitarian Admissions Programme prioritises at-risk individuals such as human rights defenders, women’s rights activists, LGBTQ+ individuals, judiciary and journalists.
For 2025, a designated partner organisation, The Open Community, was appointed by the Department to support the admission of 50 individuals under the Humanitarian Admissions programme, using a community sponsorship framework.
While the number of admissions available under the 2025 Humanitarian Admissions Programme is limited to 50, the number of applications received far exceeded that and accordingly not all applications were successful.
While I appreciate that this will have caused disappointment to those who were unsuccessful or their families, all applications submitted to my Department for consideration by our designated partner organisation under the programme were subject to review by my officials to ensure a fair process.
All unsuccessful applicants were notified of the position by the designated partner organisation, and feedback was provided where requested.
350. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which his Department ensures that people who are the subject of deportation orders are removed from IPAS accommodation to which they are not entitled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52755/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of people resident in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres who have been refused permission to remain in the State is a small proportion of our total resident population of nearly 33,000 people.
Currently, there are approximately 500 people subject to deportation orders residing in IPAS accommodation. This number fluctuates regularly as people leave Ireland under the relevant return pathways, and as new orders are made.
Some people subject to deportation orders may have the enforcement of their order suspended due to legal proceedings or due to personal circumstances such as health grounds. Others will be in the process of arranging to leave the State as directed.
My Department works closely with the Garda National Immigration Bureau to arrange for the removal of persons subject to deportation orders.
351. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration If he will seek data from An Garda Síochána on the number of persons arrested in each year from 2020 to date in 2025 who were found to be in breach of a deportation order; the number of such persons who were detained and for how long; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52756/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
352. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons and the number of family units who have received financial assistance under the State’s voluntary return programme, each year since 2009 and the total grant amounts paid in each year. [52767/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra353. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to specify the current maximum and minimum levels of financial assistance available to persons and family units under the voluntary return programme; and to confirm when these levels were last reviewed or amended. [52768/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra354. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average financial support paid per person and per family unit under the voluntary return programme in each of the past five years. [52769/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has commissioned or received any independent evaluations or audits of the effectiveness of the voluntary return programme since its introduction in 2009; and if so, to make such reports publicly available. [52773/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra373. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the annual spend on reintegration grants for voluntary returns; the number who have available of this in each of the past five years, and in 2025 to date, including a breakdown of countries returned to, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52875/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 352 to 354, inclusive, 358 and 373 together.
It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. Returning people who do not have permission to remain in Ireland is undertaken though voluntary returns and deportation. Both types of returns are essential for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
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. In 2024, 934 people left Ireland by way of voluntary return. This year 1,188 people have left Ireland by way of voluntary return up to 26 September 2025, which is an increase of 116% compared to the same period in 2024.
A person who is intending to avail of voluntary return can arrange their return independently or they can be assisted with travel costs, financial aid and administrative support by the Voluntary Return Unit in my Department or through my Department’s partner, the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The option of Voluntary Return is not offered to those convicted of serious criminality.
Reintegration assistance, which can only be availed of once, is provided when the person departure from the State is confirmed. In 2020, the reintegration assistance grants provided under the voluntary return scheme were increased from €600 to €1,200 for individuals and from €1,000 to €2,000 for families. Earlier this week I announced that for a limited time, people who were in the International Protection process before 28 September 2025, will be offered increased reintegration assistance if they choose to avail of voluntary return at an earlier stage in the process.
This means if a person decides to opt for voluntary return either before receiving a first instance decision or before appealing a negative first instance decision their assistance will be increased to €2,500 per person to a maximum of €10,000 per family unit. If they are in the appeals process and decide to voluntary return before the appeal decision issues their assistance will increase, but to the lower amount of €1,500 per person and to a maximum of €6,000 per family unit. If they receive a final decision on their application assistance will only increase for families to a maximum of €3,000 per family unit.
The higher level of grants will only be available to those in the process before 28 September 2025. It will not be available to those who apply after this date. My Department will still reserve the right to refuse financial assistance to those with a history of criminality in the State.
My officials have reviewed a wide range of arrangements across the EU and these proposed new levels of support are considered to be generally in line with EU norms in this area; though comparison is complicated by the variety of packages offered across European return systems. I will be closely monitoring the effectiveness of this exercise and have instructed that a review of this targeted measure be undertaken after it has been in place for several months.
The delivery of financial reintegration assistance is administered by the IOM at this time. The IOM provides access to ‘on the ground’ in country services that provide reintegration support to people which my Department would otherwise not have access to. I can advise the Deputy that grant agreements have been awarded to IOM for the provision of voluntary return and reintegration services. The IOM reports it expenditure to my Department under these programmes, this information is reported on a programme cycle basis and is not all information requested by the Deputy is available to my Department at this time.
The IOM service comprises of pre-departure counselling, travel arrangements and the payment of a reintegration grant post return. The IOM previously offered two programme streams, the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) and the Irregular Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (IVARRP). In 2024, the IVARRP and VARRP were merged into one Voluntary Returns Programme which is managed and effected by the Voluntary Returns Unit of my Department.
The table below details the number of Individuals and Family Groups who received financial reintegration assistance, and the expenditure related to the delivery of reintegration grants under IOM programmes implemented between 01 January 2020 to 31 August 2025. The below figures include the payment of reintegration grants and associated costs of this. Depending on the Country of Return, IOM may charge a Service Fee for the administration and delivery of these services.
|
Programme Cycle |
Individuals Assisted |
Family Groups Assisted |
Total Reintegration Grants Expenditure |
|
Jan 2020 - Dec 2020 VARRP |
25 |
|
€26,443.00 |
|
Oct 2020 - Dec 2021 IVARRP |
30 |
|
€12,047.00 |
|
Jan 2021- Dec 2021 VARRP |
26 |
|
€16,658.00 |
|
Jan 2022- Dec 2022 IVARRP |
11 |
|
€22,319.00 |
|
Jan 2022- Dec 2022 VARRP |
15 |
|
€14,703.30 |
|
Jan 2023- July 2024 IVARRP |
31 |
30 |
€68,719.00 |
|
January 2024- December 2024 (Programmes combined) |
173 |
25 (77 individuals) |
€207,802 |
|
January 2025 August 2025 (Programmes combined) |
279 |
91 (326 individuals) |
€598,753.95 |
Not all participants in the Voluntary Return programme immediately request reintegration assistance upon leaving the State and some may not pursue it at all; there can also be a time lag between and individual receiving reintegration assistance and the reporting of that expenditure. For that reason, the figures set out in the above table will be subject to change.
I strongly encourage people who do not have permission to be in Ireland to leave voluntarily. People who require assistance or information can contact my Department’s Voluntary Return Unit by email, at voluntaryreturns@justice.ie, or at the below address.
Voluntary Returns Unit
2nd Floor
City West Campus
Saggart
Dublin 24.
