Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

692. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of enforced deportations with regard to unsuccessful applications for international protection in 2025 and in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25795/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

695. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of voluntary departures by unsuccessful international protection applicants subject to deportations orders in 2025 and in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25806/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

696. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of failed international protection applicants subject to deportation orders currently in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25807/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

697. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the process for tracking voluntary departures of people who are subject to deportations order following unsuccessful applications for international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25808/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

698. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportations orders with regard to unsuccessful applications for international protection made in 2025 and in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25809/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 692 and 695 to 698, inclusive, together.

I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.

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). This year 1,755 deportation orders have been signed up to 16 May 2025. 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). This year 751 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 16 May 2025.

In 2025, two charter flight operations have removed 71 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 45 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. A further 20 people have verified to my Department that they have left the State following a deportation order being issued to them.

A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda Síochána. Such an order remains on the person’s record permanently, unless revoked by the Minister for Justice – it means they may not enter Ireland again in future.

It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. As part of this process my Department makes arrangements for the person to leave the State or the person can organise their return independently. In both circumstances, my Department receives confirmation when the person has departed.

It is the case that the majority of deportation orders signed, and removals completed, concern people who have been refused International Protection. Last year, 2,001 Deportation Orders were signed in respect of people refused International Protection, and 821 people who were refused International Protection were confirmed to have departed the State.

Table 1 below details the number deportation orders which have been signed in respect of people who have been refused International Protection from 2020, up to 30 April 2025.

Table 1

* During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons who whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022.

Table 2 below details the number people who have been refused International Protection and who left the State independently after being issued a Deportation Order, as well as those who were escorted from the State by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), from 2020, up to 30 April 2025.

Table 2

1. People who are confirmed to have left the State independently after a deportation order has been made.

2. People escorted from Ireland by the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

Table 3 below details the number people who were refused International Protection and who departed the State by way of Voluntary Return without being issued a deportation order, from 2020, up to 30 April 2025.

Table 3