Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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301. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons and family units who have availed of the enhanced voluntary return scheme since its introduction on 28 September 2025, by nationality, family composition, and stage of the international protection process at which they opted for return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60767/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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302. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the safeguards in place to ensure that offers under the enhanced voluntary return scheme are not coercive in nature; the consultations or feedback received from non-governmental organisations, including organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60768/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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303. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total expenditure to date on the enhanced voluntary return scheme, including payments to participants and administrative costs incurred through the International Organization for Migration; the projected full-year cost if current uptake levels continue; and the alternative policy measures under consideration if participation remains low; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60769/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 to 303, inclusive, together.

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, for many years, operated 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.

Part of the voluntary return process is reintegration assistance. The level of reintegration assistance was last increased in 2022; implementing a recommendation of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process, that financial supports granted to those who choose voluntary return to their countries of origin should be doubled.

In September I announced that for a limited time, people who were in the International Protection process before 28 September 2025, would be offered increased reintegration assistance if they choose to avail of voluntary return. Anyone who has applied for International Protection after this date is not eligible for the enhanced reintegration supports.

Under this time limited scheme, if a person decides to opt for voluntary return at any point in the process prior to them appealing any negative first instance decision, their assistance will be increased to €2,500 per person to a maximum of €10,000 per family unit. If they are in the appeals process and decide to opt for voluntary return at any point prior to a negative appeal decision issuing their assistance will increase, but to the lower amount of €1,500 per person and to a maximum of €6,000 per family unit. If they apply for voluntary return after receiving a negative decision on their appeal, assistance will only increase for families to a maximum of €3,000 per family unit.

Increasing reintegration assistance for those at an earlier stage in the process is aimed at reducing the costs to the State and pressure on the system from the high numbers of applications received in 2023 and 2024. At the end of September 2025, there were almost 34,000 applications pending at different stages of the international protection process.

My officials have reviewed a wide range of voluntary return arrangements across the EU and considered the process in line with EU norms in this area. This was done with the input of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), as well as the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

My Department has begun a process of engagement with relevant organisations engaged with migrants in relation to the increased offering to ensure that they can assist applicants in understanding the process and new arrangements.

I can assure the Deputy that there are safeguards in place for vulnerable people and requests for return can be refused if it would be unsafe for the person to return. My Department assesses each application on their eligibility for the programme.

My Department is carefully monitoring the operation of the programme to ensure it is working effectively and as intended. However, at this stage it is too early to assess the impact of the new arrangements, or to form reliable estimates of ongoing cost. More detailed analysis including as to the stage participants are at in the protection process when availing of the scheme, along the lines referred to by the Deputy, will form part of this assessment but these figures are not yet collated.

In general terms, however, I can advise the Deputy that so far this year, 1,348 people have left Ireland by way of voluntary return up to 31 October 2025, which is an increase of 96% compared to the same period in 2024.