Written answers

Wednesday, 7 May 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

Refugee Appeals Tribunal

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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328. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of judicial reviews were undertaken by asylum seekers against IPAT rulings for each of the past five years; what was the cost to the state in terms of free legal aid for those taking the judicial reviews and also for those defending against these judicial reviews, for each of the past five years. [22400/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. Investment in increased staffing levels, technology and infrastructure, as well as the increased use of panel members and Tribunal members at the IPO and IPAT respectively, has resulted in improved and increased case processing at all levels.

While the number of decisions issued in recent years has increased, the average rate of total Tribunal decisions that are challenged by judicial review remains below 7% since the Tribunal's establishment in 2016, with the rate of judicial review taken against Tribunal decisions for 2024 being 6.7%. The IPAT closely monitors cases and their outcome with a view to enhancing the quality and efficiency of its decision making.

The table below shows the number of judicial reviews against IPAT decisions for the past 5 years.

2020 125
2021 56
2022 40
2023 155
2024 199
Legal aid is not usually incurred in seeking judicial review of IPAT decisions. If, however, an applicant is successful the Court will generally make an order for the applicant’s costs against the State. The table below shows applicant legal costs paid in the past 5 years in respect of judicial review challenges to IPAT decisions.
2020 €1,076,602
2021 €1,124,269
2022 €1,365,573
2023 €1,317,647
2024 €2,391,353
Legal representation costs incurred in defending JRs taken against decisions by Government Departments are the responsibility of the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and are not charged to my Department’s vote.

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