Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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292. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the exact step-by-step process by which voluntary departures by those who have been unsuccessful in their application for international protection is tracked and recorded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35171/25]

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. In 2024, 934 people left Ireland by way of voluntary return. This year 778 people have left Ireland by way of voluntary return up to 20 June 2025, which is an increase of 227% compared to the same period in 2024.

A person who is intending to avail of voluntary return can arrange their return independently or they can be assisted with travel costs, financial aid 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 option of Voluntary Return is not offered to those convicted of serious criminality.

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.

If a person receives a final negative decision on their International Protection application, they are informed of the option of voluntary return and they have five days to indicate whether they wish to avail of it. If a person decides not to avail of a voluntary return within this period then a deportation order is made against them.

When a person indicates that they wish to avail of the option to voluntarily return, a completed Voluntary Return application form is requested within five working days from the persons initial correspondence with the Voluntary Returns Unit. This application form requires the person to indicate if they will make arrangements to leave the State without assistance or if they require support from my Department.

People who make their own arrangements are given 30 days to leave Ireland. They are required to provide my officials with documentary evidence that they have left within three days of their arrival in their home country. This can include evidence of flight tickets, boarding passes, the bio-data page of their passports and the re-entry stamp in their passport with the passport number clearly shown.

People who require assistance to leave Ireland will have the necessary arrangements made by the Voluntary Returns Unit. This may include obtaining travel documents, flight bookings and ground transport. People who receive assistance must also submit documentary evidence of their return within three days of their arrival in their home country.

Further information and evidence will be requested if the supporting documentation submitted is not sufficient to confirm that the person has left the State.

People who do not submit the required documentation within the timeframes are advised that their cases will be reverted for further processing which may result in a deportation order issuing if the person is not confirmed to have left the State.

In many instances those availing of Voluntary Return will also be met by officials from the Border Management Unit of my Department, or by IOM, to ensure that their return journey is facilitated through Dublin Airport and that their departure is confirmed.

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.