Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The patterns in international protection applications vary over time and the Government’s response adapts accordingly.

It has long been the case that a significant number of people apply for international protection for the first time in the International Protection Office (IPO).

This has increased in 2024. To COB on 29^th April 2024, there have been 7,054 applications for International Protection at the IPO. Of these 6,468 (91.7%) were made at the IPO for the first time and not at a port of entry.

There are a number of circumstances in which someone might apply in the IPO without first applying at a port of entry. They may enter at an airport with valid documentation for example but choose not to apply at that time. Or they may apply having been in the State for a period previously, for example on foot of a different permission to remain.

However, my Department’s firm assessment, based on the experience of staff and others working in the field, and based on the material gathered at interviews, is that most of those applying for the first time in the IPO have entered over the land border. This is my Department’s operational assessment of the situation.