Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy and agree that this is worthwhile discussion in terms of dispelling myths. The Deputy is right about IPAT. We have done extremely well in processing applications. We have processed a significant number of applications this year. My officials will give me the exact number presently but in terms of IPAT, the Deputy is right. At present, in 2025, 4,113 appeals have been completed in IPAT. However, there are 15,624 appeals on hand at IPAT. One of the reasons I want to expedite the process is that if someone gets a first-instance decision from the IPO within six months, is refused permission to stay and decides to appeal it, he or she still cannot work. There is a significant benefit in ensuring that we get the first-instance decision completed promptly. I have recruited many full-time and part-time members to IPAT in recent times but the Deputy has correctly identified the area where there are delays at present.

As the committee knows, we will be bringing an international protection Bill to the Oireachtas later this year. I want to cut down on the oral hearings at the second-instance body, the replacement for IPAT, because they are delaying the work considerably. To date in 2025, the IPO has processed a total of 14,398 first-instance decisions. We are moving very fast there and a lot of the IPO decisions are being made within three to six months. If we can get into a system where that is happening consistently then people will get decisions quickly and the accommodation will not come under pressure because applicants know they will have to leave and they cannot work if they are refused.