Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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550. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide an update on his Department’s engagement with the Office of Government Procurement in respect of identifying a commercial partner for the supply of charter flight services for deportations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6022/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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It is a priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. The removal of persons who have been refused permission to remain is an essential requirement for the immigration system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the application of our laws in this area.

In June 2024, a request for tender was published with a view to procuring a suitable provider of charter flight services and relevant supporting services. A contract was signed in November last year for the provision of charter aircraft for deportation operation purposes.

Charter flights provide an alternative to commercial flights and can be more appropriate in circumstances when a group of individuals are being removed to the same destination. This will increase the options available to An Garda Síochána to effect removals and deportations.

Planning is well advanced to commence the use of charter flights for removals, the first flights are expected in the coming months. Alongside this, enforced deportations are continuing on commercial flights.

My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317).