Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
425. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons subject to deportation orders currently residing in IPAS accommodation, broken down by year in which the deportation order was signed. [36356/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra426. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average length of time persons subject to deportation orders have remained in IPAS accommodation after the making of the deportation order. [36357/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra427. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department records the number of persons subject to deportation orders in IPAS accommodation who have legal proceedings, health grounds, family circumstances, or other factors delaying removal. [36358/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra428. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has a target timeframe for removing persons subject to deportation orders from IPAS accommodation where no legal or practical impediment to removal exists. [36359/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra429. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has estimated the annual accommodation cost of persons subject to deportation orders remaining in IPAS accommodation. [36360/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra430. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department intends to introduce routine reporting on the number of persons subject to deportation orders who remain in IPAS accommodation. [36361/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra431. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has assessed the policy implications of IPAS accommodation being occupied by persons subject to deportation orders while new international protection applicants require accommodation. [36362/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430 and 431 together.
It is a priority for my Department to have recommendations made on all international protection applications as soon as possible.
This gives status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria.
Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, International Protection Applicants are entitled to be provided with material reception conditions, including housing, food, clothing and a Daily Expenses Allowance (DEA).
The 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 over 33,000 people.
I understand from your questions that you wish to know the number of persons subject to deportation orders in IPAS accommodation who have legal proceedings, health grounds, family circumstances, or other factors delaying removal, along with specific costs and average length of stay. I regret that this information is not readily available in the manner requested but I will provide what detail is available.
Currently, there are over 800 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.
The enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), and my Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders. If a person issued with a deportation order does not leave the State independently then they are required to present to the GNIB in accordance with the conditions of their deportation order.
Ireland has opted into and is now working to implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact by mid-2026. Reforming and speeding up processing of applications, which is well underway, should reduce the scale of the demand for international protection accommodation, and the time each applicant spends in IPAS accommodation.
The Department is also working to increase the amount of State-owned international protection accommodation and creating a more stable and sustainable accommodation system overall.
