John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

361. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to continue to expand or extend the Humanitarian Admissions Programme; his views in relation to the history of the operation of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62415/25]

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

Between 2021 and 2024, Ireland welcomed over 700 people who were refugees from Afghanistan through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme's (IRPP) Afghan Programme.

Within the remit of IRPP, a Humanitarian Admissions Programme prioritises at-risk individuals such as human rights defenders, women’s rights activists, LGBTQ+ individuals, judiciary and journalists. The Humanitarian Admissions Programme has been in place since 2021.

For 2025, a designated partner organisation, was appointed by the Department to support the admission of 50 individuals under the Humanitarian Admissions programme, using a community sponsorship framework.

While the number of admissions available under the 2025 Humanitarian Admissions Programme is limited to 50, the number of applications received far exceeded that and accordingly not all applications were successful.

While I appreciate that this will have caused disappointment to those who were unsuccessful or their families, all applications submitted to my Department for consideration by our designated partner organisation under the programme were subject to review by my officials to ensure a fair process.

The 2025 Humanitarian Admissions Programme was divided into two phases and Phase 1 has been completed. It is planned to complete the balance of the 50 pledged arrivals before the end of 2025.

At this time there are no plans in place to increase the number of spaces available under this programme. It is intended to facilitate the arrival of 50 Refugees from Afghanistan in 2026 under this programme.