Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1652. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the projected trends in the number of people applying for international protection status; if it is expected to increase by the end of the year relative to previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21082/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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It is a central priority for myself, my Department and this Government that our immigration laws are robust and enforced.

The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. This year, we are beginning to see application numbers noticeably reduce. There have been 42% less applications in the first three months of 2025 compared to the first three months of 2024.

We know that patterns in international protection applications vary over time and that is why it is important that the Government’s response adapts accordingly.

It is my belief that implementing a firmer migration system is a key element in reducing the numbers coming to Ireland to seek international protection.

Accelerated processing was introduced in November 2022 and it now applies to those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe and citizens of countries from which there are the largest number of applicants. Applications from countries subject to the accelerated procedure have reduced significantly since their introduction.

It is my intention to continue to ramp up investment in the end-to-end international protection process to speed up decision making. This will support reaching key targets, including making 25,000 decisions in the IPO in 2025 and to increase the number of appeals at the IPAT completed over the course of 2025.

The EU Migration and Asylum Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be done through convergence in asylum practices across the EU.

Ireland’s national implementation plan (NIP) sets out the State’s proposed approach to meeting the requirements set out in the Pact which comes into effect in June 2026.

Overall, the introduction of the Pact is expected to reduce the number of applicants, firstly by reducing secondary movement through the EU, and secondly through the increased use of significantly accelerated processes.