Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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145. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the number of persons seeking international protection in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53714/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The State is required to examine applications for international protection by anyone who is at the borders of the State or is in the State and indicates they wish to make an application. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law, which does not allow any Member State to place a cap on the numbers of persons who may apply for international protection.

Immigration officials conduct passport checks on arrival to ensure passengers are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004. If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection, they are admitted to the international protection process.

I can inform the Deputy that, in the first eight months of this year, 3,254 people arrived undocumented in Dublin airport. While these passengers had presented documents at their point of departure, they were no longer in possession of those documents when they reached the immigration desks at Dublin airport. Figures are currently available only for Dublin Airport.

The Department is examining the factors which may have contributed to the significant increase in international protection applications this year. The Department will continue to take all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader whole-of-Government response, while ensuring the integrity of the immigration system is maintained. This includes resuming normal pre-pandemic immigration arrangements, such as the enforcement of deportation orders for unsuccessful applications, following fair procedure and allowing for all available avenues for appeal. An accelerated decision-making process for applicants from Safe Countries of Origin is also being introduced.

If a person who has applied for international protection in the State is found to be already benefitting from international protection granted by another EU Member State, the application will be deemed inadmissible in accordance with the International Protection Act 2015.

In addition, on 18 July, the Government agreed to temporarily suspend Ireland’s participation in the Council of Europe Agreement for the Abolition of Visas for Refugees. The temporary suspension of the Council of Europe Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugee came into operation from noon on 19 July 2022. It is too early to determine the impact of the suspension on application numbers. However, this is being closely monitored by my Department.

Responsibility for the accommodation system and material supports for international protection applicants are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.