Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 122 together.

I can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. A person subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and all available appeals processes have been exhausted.

The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is responsible for carrying out deportations. It is not possible to estimate the number of hours of Garda time to complete a deportation as each case is individual with different sets of circumstances, including destination and route required.

The Deputy will be aware that the numbers of Deportation Orders effected by GNIB does not take account of individuals who have left the State without informing my Department. It is the case that many individuals who are subject to Deportation Orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities and this particular category of individual is difficult to quantify.

The below table sets out the number of deportations ordered and completed for the years 2013 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and the associated costs for those years. The figure for costs covers flights and accommodation costs, where required, for all removals including Dublin 3 transfers, EU Removals as well as deportations.