Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
44. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the deportation process; and to provide an update on the number of deportations carried out so far in 2026 to date. [35482/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt 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.
In the context of international protection, where an applicant has been refused and has exhausted all appeal avenues, they have the option of voluntary return, which if not accepted will in the normal course lead to the making of a deportation order. The only barrier to that course of action is the provisions of section 50 of the International Protection Act 2015 on the prohibition of refoulement.
Separate to the International Protection process, where a person has become illegally resident in the State, or have been refused a permission to remain, a notification of intention to deport is issued. Such people are given the option to voluntarily return, consent to deportation, or can make representations as to why they should not have a deportation order made against them.
A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State, and the enforcement of a deportation order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). My Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders.
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.
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.
The tables below detail the number of deportation orders signed, as well as the number enforced, up to 08 May 2026.
Table 1. Deportation orders signed up to 08 May 2026
|
Year |
2026 (up to 08 May) |
|
Deportation orders signed |
1,712 |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
Table 2. Deportation Enforcement up to 08 May 2026
|
Year |
2026 (up to 08 May) |
|
Enforced Deportations |
107 |
|
Removed by Charter |
62 |
|
Otherwise Confirmed Deportation (1) |
26 |
|
Total Deportations |
195 |
|
Other Removals (2) |
53 |
|
Number of Voluntary Returns |
511 |
|
Total Removed |
759 |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
** During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only people who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022.
*** A deportation order effected in any year may relate to an order signed in a previous year.
1. Otherwise confirmed deportations is where it has been confirmed a person has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted.
2. Other removals include Dublin III Transfer Orders of International Protection applicants to another EU State and EU Removal Orders for the return of EU Citizens under the Free Movement Regulations (these orders are made on grounds of criminality) and people who are deemed inadmissible under the International Protection Act.
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.
