Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

462. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications that have been received for international protection from Palestinians in 2023 and to date in 2024; if their applications will be dealt with quickly and sympathetically given the appalling conditions in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41541/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would like to assure the Deputy that it is a priority to ensure that international protection applications are processed efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. Each application is examined individually on its own merits, in line with national and international asylum law.

As such, my Department has taken a significant number of measures to increase the capacity of the international protection system, including deploying very substantial additional resources. On foot of this, first instances determinations have increased from 2,482 in 2021 to 9,000 in 2023 and with the intention being to deliver over 14,000 decisions this year.

Budget 2025 has provided an additional €25m package for end-to-end investment in the immigration system which will enable approximately 400 further staff to be recruited for roles across this process.

The number of Palestinian applications for International Protection in the periods requested are detailed below:

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