My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times.
In 2021, my Department opened the Afghan Admission Programme (AAP) in response to the humanitarian situation in that country. This programme allowed anyone already resident in Ireland to apply to bring their close family members whose freedom or safety was at risk, whether they were resident in Afghanistan or in certain neighbouring countries having fled from Afghanistan.
Nearly 1,000 people were granted under the Programme and it is closed to further applicants. There are less than 10 outstanding AAP applications, which are subject to complex determination. It is important to say that all immigration avenues remain open for Afghan nationals, including visa and family reunification applications.
I can advise that Ireland supports the entry of migrants through legal pathways.
It is possible to apply for permission to enter and remain in Ireland based on a variety of different reasons, including; employment, education or a family situation.
Full information on the different permissions and the stamps available are listed on our website: www.irishimmigration.ie/.
Individuals who are from a country that is visa-required to travel to Ireland will need to apply for a visa to travel to the State. Further information about visa-required countries is available on the Department’s immigration website at www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-visit-ireland/visit-ireland-travel-path/.
Any person that wishes to make a visa application must do so online at: www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx
The Deputy may wish to know that a person who wishes to make a claim for international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection status) in Ireland must be at the frontier of the State or already be present in the State.
There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system over the last number of years which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity and demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing cases on hand.
In 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. As of 31 May, IPAT has closed 3,932 appeals this year and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025.
To date in 2026 the median processing time for IPO first instance decisions is 12 months (accelerated cases are processed in 2 months, while standard cases are processed in 16 months).
The median processing time for International Protection appeals is 13.6 months. The median processing time under the accelerated procedure is 7.0 months and 16.4 months for all other appeals.
