Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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356. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the outcomes per nationality for IP applicants in both 2022 and to date in 2023, the number arriving from each country and the decisions reached, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50531/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly and efficiently, as part of the broader Government response to this challenging issue.

The number of international protection applications last year was 13,650, a significant increase on recent years. It represents a 186% increase on the number received in 2019, the most recent year in which application numbers were not impacted by Covid-19.

In July this year, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This will give status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria.

Already these reforms are having a significant impact with the median processing time for first-instance decisions reducing from 18 months in 2022 down to 15 months in 2023. The median processing times for appeals is also down from 15 months at the beginning of 2022 to five months in 2023.

As part of this modernisation programme, I also signed a regulation in November 2022 to introduce an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. These applicants now typically receive a first instance decision in less than three months, which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months early last year.

The tables below details international protection application figures for 2022 and 2023 to date.

The table attached details first instance decisions made in 2022 and 2023 to date.

*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.

*Please note, first instance decisions can be appealed to IPAT.

*Please also note that it is the policy of the Department not to release numbers where there are less than 5 in respect of any nationality, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.