Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
432. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has a formal protocol with An Garda Síochána for prioritising the removal of persons subject to deportation orders who are resident in IPAS accommodation. [36363/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra433. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department will publish quarterly figures on deportation orders signed, deportations enforced, voluntary returns, otherwise confirmed departures, and persons subject to deportation orders remaining in IPAS accommodation. [36364/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra434. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has examined the feasibility of linking IPAS, immigration, border management and departure records to improve monitoring of persons subject to deportation orders. [36365/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 432 to 434, inclusive, together.
It is a central priority for me 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, and the enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). The Immigration Service, International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and Border Management Unit of my Department work closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders, including those who are resident in IPAS accommodation.
It is important to note that not all of those who are issued with deportation orders were previously applicants for international protection, and of those who were, not all of those were resident in IPAS accommodation.
Each deportation order is accompanied by a letter or notice that informs the person of their obligations and requirements, including the obligation to present to the GNIB at a particular time and date. Other requirements are outlined in the letter, such as the requirement to reside at their address pending their removal and the requirement to co-operate with the GNIB and produce any travel document to facilitate their removal from the State.
Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. 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. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them.
If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and 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). In 2025, 4,700 deportation orders were signed, an increase of 96% compared to 2024.1,712 deportation orders have been signed up to 08 May 2026.
In 2024, 1,122 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.). In 2025, 2,111 people had their departure confirmed through these pathways, an increase of 88% compared to 2024. Up to 08 May 2026, 759 people have departed the State through these pathways.
In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State. Of these, five operations to non-EU destinations removed 182 people who were subject to deportation orders and one operation removed 23 EU citizens on grounds of criminality.
Two charter operations to date in 2026 have seen the removal of 96 people from the State, including 33 EU citizens who were removed on grounds of criminality.
I can advise the Deputy that the IPAS does not collate information on residents by stage of the removal process. However, I can advise that 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.
I can inform the Deputy that my Department publishes monthly figures in relation to International Protection numbers, including data on deportation orders signed and effected. These reports can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/collections/international-protection-in-numbers/
It is the case that a significant number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities; however, as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to definitely provide the number of people who have or have not complied with an order. I am, however, informed that the GNIB has reviewed a large sample of cases of people subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State.
