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

285. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of negative decisions in the international protection system; the number of those that received a negative decision who left voluntarily; the number who were subject to a deportation order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38561/25]

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

There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity. 

The table below details the negative decision issued in respect of International Protection applications in 2024 and 2025, to 30 June 2025.

** Figures are correct at the time of issue but may be subject to data cleansing.

When a negative first instance recommendation issues, applicants are informed that they may opt to Voluntary Return with assistance. The option of Voluntary Return is not offered to those convicted of serious criminality.

Should an appeal be affirmed, applicants are further advised of the option to avail of a Voluntary Return with the possibility of assistance to support their departure from the State.

When a person avails of a Voluntary Return they are not issued with a deportation order.

In 2024, 934 individuals left Ireland using the Voluntary Return Programme, a significant increase compared to the 213 in 2023. Of these, 684 had made applications for International Protection in the State. I expect these numbers to rise again this year and so far in 2025, 831 persons who had made International Protection applications have availed of Voluntary Return.

My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals.

So far in 2025, a total of 1,045 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.) the majority of whom will have been refused international protection. In 2025 three charter flight operations have removed 106 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State and 67 have been removed on commercial airlines. Additionally, 29 people subject to deportation orders are confirmed to have left unescorted.

As there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to accurately provide the number of people who are currently in Ireland subject to deportation orders. While over 200 of the people subject to deportation orders are confirmed to have left in 2025, it is the case that a significantly larger number of individuals who were subject to deportation orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities.

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

286. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those subjected to deportation orders whose departure from the State was confirmed; the number whose whereabouts is unknown, for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38562/25]

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

It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration 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 there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.

A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so, within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, 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 – it means they may not enter Ireland again in future.

Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. 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. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable persons who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them.

If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed, and 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 2,330 deportation orders have been signed up to 04 July 2025 and three charter flight operations have removed 106 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 67 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses. So far in 2025, a total of 1,045 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.).

The Tables below detail information in relation to deportation orders signed and the numbers removed in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 up to 20 June 2025.

Table 1. Deportation orders signed from 2020 to 2025

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

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 whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022.

Table 2. Deportations 2020 to 2025

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

1. Otherwise confirmed deportation is where it has been confirmed the individual has left the state following receipt of a deportation order without being escorted.

I am informed that the Garda National Immigration Bureau has reviewed a large sample of cases of persons subject to deportation orders; their inquiries suggest a very significant number of these individuals have left the State.