Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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597. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for a breakdown of the average timeline between final refusal of international protection, the offer of voluntary return, and the signing of a deportation order, in respect of the 2,403 deportation orders signed in 2024 and the 1,940 signed to date in 2025, broken down by single adult males, single adult females, family units, and unaccompanied minors, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32038/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. Returning people who do not have permission to remain in Ireland is undertaken through voluntary returns and deportation. Both types of returns are essential for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.

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.

A person who is intending to avail of voluntary return can arrange their return independently or they can be assisted with travel costs, financial help and administrative support by the Voluntary Return Unit in my Department or through my Department’s partner, the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The voluntary return service comprises of pre-departure counselling, assistance with travel arrangements and the payment of a reintegration grant in the form of ‘in kind’ assistance.

I can advise the Deputy that significant efforts are undertaken to make people aware of the option for Voluntary Return at various stages of the International Protection process.

At the start of the application process, in the 'Information Booklet for Applicants for International Protection', details on the option of voluntary return is provided. At the time of a negative first instance recommendation people are informed that they may seek to voluntary return with assistance.

Should an appeal be affirmed, people are further advised of the option to voluntary return with the possibility of assistance to support their departure from the State. This information is issued alongside correspondence from the International Protection Office and is available on my Department’s website.

If a person receives a final negative decision on their International Protection application, the person has five days to avail of voluntary return. The five-day period in which a person may signify their interest in a voluntary return is provided for in Section 48 (3.B) and S.38 (4) of the International Protection Act, 2015.

If a person decides not to avail of a voluntary return within this period then a deportation order is made against them. The timeline for signing a deportation order can vary, some people may express an interest in availing of a voluntary return but later withdraw from the process and a deportation order will then be made against them.

I can advise the Deputy, that in most cases a deportation order is signed within a few weeks following a final negative decision where a person chooses not to avail of voluntary return. However, it is not possible to provide the average time in which it takes to sign a deportation order by family or relationship status as requested by the Deputy. While information regarding a person's personal circumstances is detailed on their individual record this information is not collated in the manner requested by the Deputy.

In 2024, 934 people left Ireland by way of voluntary return of which 684 had been refused International Protection or withdrew their application. This year 759 people have left Ireland by way of voluntary return up to 13 June 2025 of which 575 had been refused International Protection or withdrew their application.

While it is not possible to provide the average time in which it takes to sign a deportation order against single adult males, single adult females, and family units, the tables below provide a breakdown of the single adult males, single adult females, and family units who availed of a voluntary return who were refused or withdrew their applications for International Protection.

The table below details the number of single individuals who were refused or withdrew their applications for International Protection who availed of voluntary return in 2024 and 2025 to 13 June 2025.

Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.

The table below details the number of families who were refused or withdrew their applications for International Protection who availed of voluntary return in 2024 and 2025 to 13 June 2025.

I can advise the Deputy that no unaccompanied minors have left the State under the Voluntary Return Programme.

I strongly encourage people who do not have permission to be in Ireland to leave voluntarily. People who require assistance or information can contact my Department’s Voluntary Return Unit by email at

voluntaryreturns@justice.ie or at the below address.Voluntary Returns UnitArrangement

13-14 Burgh Quay

Dublin 2

D02 XK70.