Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. There are probably a number of factors which have resulted in the significant increase. Yes, it is true to say that one of those factors is possibly the policies which have been implemented within the UK and it is possible that the change and the sentiment following Brexit has also had an implication. Post Covid-19 we have seen more people on the move, having not being able to move in the past number of years. There have also been other militating factors. The war in Ukraine has obviously displaced people further but there are also other significant natural events happening across the world with increased famine and climate change again creating a movement of people, in particular coming from Africa. There are a number of different factors and I do not think we could pinpoint just one. We have a number of different countries represented in the higher numbers of people who are coming. A number of people are also coming, potentially, for economic reasons and are seeking asylum so we have to take a number of different factors into account.

The most important part from my side is that we can process applications as quickly as possible. I will briefly mention a number of measures we have put in place. We are restructuring teams and case management units. We have an increasing output which is being offset by an unprecedented rise in application numbers but we are looking at a more efficient workflow. We are identifying and streamlining onerous processes and ensuring staff are directed to areas where they can add most value. A great amount of restructuring has happened and will continue but we are also moving things online. A great amount of investment is happening in our overall ICT infrastructure in immigration to ensure we can respond to people as quickly as possible.

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