Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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432. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware of reports of International Protection Office staff warning those in receipt of a deportation order or those about to receive a deportation order of Garda activity relating to the enforcement of such orders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40967/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, my Department does not comment on operational procedures regarding the removal of persons from the State. However, I can inform the Deputy that my Department is not aware of any instance where officials working in the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) have been involved in warning residents of impending Garda activities.

There are operational challenges associated with the serving and execution of deportation orders. Individuals are aware that an order has been made and that they should remove themselves from the State and, if they chose not to do so voluntarily, that the deportation order will be enforced.

There is excellent ongoing cooperation between IPAS, my Department and the Garda National Immigration Bureau in relation to the removal of individuals who do not have a right to reside in the jurisdiction.

My Department are taking a number of steps to improve immigration enforcement and to increasing removals. I have announced that my Department has taken over administrative immigration functions to allow Gardaí to concentrate on enforcement and investigations. This has now freed up to 100 Gardaí. My Department are also providing additional resources for the voluntary return programme and completing a procurement process for a new charter flight services for deportations and removals.

Finally, I can inform the Deputy that there has been a significant increase in returns activities in 2024.

• The number of deportation orders signed up to 11 October 2024 (1636) has increased by 129% for the same period in 2023 (715 up to 13 October 2023)
• 734 people have departed from the State under various mechanisms up to 11 October 2024 (i.e. forced return, voluntary return etc.). The overall number of returns has increased by 221% for the same period in 2023 (229 up to 13 October 2023)
• The number of enforced deportations has increased by 147% for the same period in 2023 (89 in 2024 and 36 up to 13 October 2023)
• The number of voluntary returns has increased by 296% for the same period in 2023 (606 in 2024 and 153 up to 13 October 2023)