Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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35. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans on reforming asylum seekers process; the number of additional staff to be hired; the way applications can be processed more efficiently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6616/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department is committed to reducing processing times for international protection applicants and 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.    

In order to speed up the processing of applications for international protection, there has been a 55% increase in staffing of the International Protection Office since 2019 (from 143 to 221 staff). This has resulted in a substantial increase in recommendations made by the IPO.

In addition to resourcing, it is important to acknowledge that action has already been taken by the Department to manage the high volume of applications by utilising all of its current resources. Since last November a number of measures have been implemented to improve efficiencies and throughput, in tandem with reforms to the application, interview and decision making process, and these are having a significant impact on processing times.

These steps have recently allowed applicants from safe countries of origin to receive a first instance decision in less than 3 months, which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months earlier last year. This new procedure is in its infancy and it is too early to see the real impact it will have on processing times but the Department is confident that these new measures will bring significant changes to the system.

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.