Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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476. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the projected number of asylum seekers which the state will be required to take under the solidarity mechanism of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in each year from June 2026 to 2031; the projected financial contribution which the state will be required to make if it is not in a position to take these asylum seekers from 2026 to 2031, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28877/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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It is a central priority for me as Minister for Justice that our immigrations laws are robust and enforced.

The EU Migration and Asylum Pact will significantly reform the current approach to migration and asylum both in Ireland and across the EU by providing a robust legislative framework to address the challenges faced in this area.

The National Implementation Plan approved by Cabinet on 25 March provides agreement for the replacement of the Dublin Regulation with the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) to improve systems for responsibility (returning applicants efficiently to the Member State responsible for processing) and solidarity (supporting Member States under migratory pressure through relocation of applicants or the provision of financial or other supports).

Under the solidarity mechanism, Member States will have discretion on the type of solidarity they contribute. This can take the form of relocations, financial contributions or alternative solidarity measures such as deployment of personnel.

All Member States would contribute to this Solidarity Pool on the basis of a proportional “fair share” principle (based on the formula 50% population and 50% GDP). It is very important to clarify that the “fair share” contribution for Ireland would apply to the solidarity pool to be established, not to the total number of asylum applications across the EU.

The AMMR will establish a minimum number of relocations of 30,000 across the EU or financial contributions of €600,000,000 with MS contributing on a fair share basis. The State’s fair share would be 2.16 % based on current figures, which would translate to 648 relocations per annum or €12,960,000 by way of a financial contribution for actions within the EU, or in relation to third countries.

The European Commission will set the number of applicants to be included in a solidarity pool based on annual returns on asylum applicants from each member state under a new reporting requirement in the AMMR.

While Ireland has one of the highest GDPs in the EU, it should be noted that we have one of the smallest populations and this is reflected in the formula overall. Should Ireland be considered to be under migratory pressure in the future, we will be able to avail of solidarity from other Member States. The State will consider these factors when deciding on the best approach to delivering on the requirements of the solidarity mechanism.