Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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90. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 30 November 2022, his views on the reason the State has experienced such a huge surge in IPAS applications during 2022; if his Department has conducted any specific studies on the cause for this sudden increase in numbers; if so, if he will provide a summary of the findings of any such studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61251/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In recent months, the number of people claiming international protection has increased significantly, with 12,453 applications to the end of November 2022, a 176% increase on the equivalent figures for 2019. 

It is not clear if the increase in international protection arrivals is a once-off impact due to the pent-up demand after the Covid-19 pandemic, or a result of the war in Ukraine or if this is a trend that will continue into 2023 and beyond. 

A recent that was commissioned by my Department and published by the Economical Social & Research Institute (ESRI) in November 2022 titled "Explaining recent trends in International Protection applications in Ireland" surmises that there are a number of contributing factors that include but are not limited to Post Covid-19 catch up migration deriving from pent up demand; the ongoing war in Ukraine and ongoing conflict in certain countries; policy changes in the UK and economic, social and policy conditions in Ireland currently.