Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)

Once again, Deputy Gogarty's sincerity and concern are very obvious. I thank him for that. He was also very balanced. The planned facility at the site will enable the fastest and most efficient processing of asylum applications in the history of the State. Applicants who will be part of the migration pact border procedures will be fully processed in less than three months from application to the final decision, which is very important.

In terms of application numbers, this Government has seen a reduction in those applying for international protection this year from an average of 1,500 per month in 2024 to an average of 1,000 per month so far in 2025. We are, however, still trending to have the third or fourth highest annual application level in the history of the State. Reform of the processing system and the migration pact will help to curtail the need for growth in the accommodation system, but there is still a need to ensure cost-effective solutions that deliver long-term sustainability for international protection accommodation. Community engagement will focus on providing direct public information, proactively engaging with people and local media and creating a space for safe and sound dialogue.

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