Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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598. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders issued to Afghan citizens in each of the years since 2021 and to date in 2025, by gender and whether the orders were issued to an adult or a child, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56977/25]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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599. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons deported to Afghanistan in each of the years since 2021 and to date in 2025, by gender, and whether the person was an adult or a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56978/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 599 together.

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.

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 people 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, 3,583 deportation orders have been signed up to 17 October 2025.

Last year, 1,122 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, 1,652 people have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 17 October 2025.

It is important to note that in most cases where a deportation order has been signed in respect of Afghan nationals, these are cases where the person has not co-operated with the International Protection process, such as when a person does not attend interviews or make representations that they and their family should be granted permission to remain in Ireland, therefore leaving no option but to sign a deportation order. Section 51 of the International Protection Act 2015 provides that the Minister 'shall make' a Deportation Order in such circumstances.

I can inform the Deputy that 201 deportation orders have been signed in respect of Afghan nationals between 2021, and up to 17 October 2025. Of these, 123 deportation orders have been signed so far in 2025, with 60 signed in 2024. From 2021 to 2023 inclusive, a total of 18 deportation orders were signed in respect of Afghan nationals. It is the policy of my Department not to release numbers where there are less than 5 in respect of any nationality, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.

The table below provides a breakdown of the 201 deportation orders signed by gender and whether the orders were signed to an adult or a child.

*At the point of the order being signed.

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