Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
682. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time of applications for international protection in the years 2020 to date in 2026, by quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17119/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
In 2026 the median processing time for IPO first instance decisions is currently 12 months (Accelerated cases are processed in 3 months, while standard cases are processed in 17 months).
The median processing time for International Protection Appeals in is 11.5 months. The median processing time under the accelerated procedure is 7.2 months and 15.6 months for all other appeals.
The table below shows the overall median processing time in months of applications for international protection in the years 2020 to 2025, by quarter.
|
Year |
Quarter |
Median |
|
2020 |
Qtr 1 |
16 |
|
2020 |
Qtr 2 |
17 |
|
2020 |
Qtr 3 |
19 |
|
2020 |
Qtr 4 |
20 |
|
2021 |
Qtr 1 |
22 |
|
2021 |
Qtr 2 |
27 |
|
2021 |
Qtr 3 |
23 |
|
2021 |
Qtr 4 |
22 |
|
2022 |
Qtr 1 |
26 |
|
2022 |
Qtr 2 |
22 |
|
2022 |
Qtr 3 |
13 |
|
2022 |
Qtr 4 |
9 |
|
2023 |
Qtr 1 |
10 |
|
2023 |
Qtr 2 |
12 |
|
2023 |
Qtr 3 |
14 |
|
2023 |
Qtr 4 |
16 |
|
2024 |
Qtr 1 |
16 |
|
2024 |
Qtr 2 |
17 |
|
2024 |
Qtr 3 |
15 |
|
2024 |
Qtr 4 |
15 |
|
2025 |
Qtr 1 |
14 |
|
2025 |
Qtr 2 |
14 |
|
2025 |
Qtr 3 |
14 |
|
2025 |
Qtr 4 |
14 |
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.
The table below shows the median processing time in months of applications for international protection under the accelerated procedure in the years 2022 to 2025, by quarter.
|
Accelerated Procedure |
|
|
|
Year |
Quarter |
Median |
|
2022 |
Qtr 4 |
1 |
|
2023 |
Qtr 1 |
2 |
|
2023 |
Qtr 2 |
2 |
|
2023 |
Qtr 3 |
2 |
|
2023 |
Qtr 4 |
2 |
|
2024 |
Qtr 1 |
3 |
|
2024 |
Qtr 2 |
2 |
|
2024 |
Qtr 3 |
2 |
|
2024 |
Qtr 4 |
3 |
|
2025 |
Qtr 1 |
4 |
|
2025 |
Qtr 2 |
4 |
|
2025 |
Qtr 3 |
3 |
|
2025 |
Qtr 4 |
2 |
Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
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 2025.
|
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 |
Please note figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
My Department continues to focus on preparing for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in advance of June 2026. 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.
The new International Protection Bill 2026 will give effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 12 June 2026.
