Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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558. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for asylum for refugees from countries other than Ukraine that were made to his Department per annum for the years 2019 to 2022; the number of these applications that were successful; the number that were refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4295/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The International Protection office of my Department endeavours to make recommendations on international protection applications as soon as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection from the State can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security. 

My Department continues to take all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of the immigration system is maintained at all times. 

During 2022, the number of people claiming international protection increased significantly, with 13,651 applications made with the International Protection Office (IPO). This is a 186% increase on the same period in 2019, the last year in which application numbers were not impacted by COVID-19. The number of applications (excluding those from Ukraine) for the years 2019 to 2022 and broken down by nationality can be found in the tables attached. 

The number of applications for international protection that were successful and those applications that were refused can be found in table 2 in the attached. The decisions listed in the table include those in respect of applications made prior to 2019. 

My Department is committed to reducing processing times for international protection applicants and we are taking steps to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible.

Over the last number of months, the International Protection Office has implemented a number of measures to improve efficiencies and throughput, in tandem with reforms to the application, interview and decision making process, and these are having a significant impact upon processing times.

The Government has also committed additional funding of nearly €18m in 2023 that will also go towards increasing efficiency in processing applications, including by increasing staff numbers at the International Protection Office. Further reforms are being examined with a view to speeding up the processing of applications.

Number of Asylum Applications 2019-2022