Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

237. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the breakdown of the number persons who applied for the recent higher level of reintegration assistance for people who withdraw their international protection application and leave Ireland voluntarily. [66483/25]

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. 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 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.

It is important to note that people can return to a country where they have legal residency, and this is not limited to their country of nationality. 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. Each application is assessed 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.

A full assessment of the scheme's impact will be carried out in due course and more detailed analysis including as to the stage participants are at in the protection process when availing of the scheme will form part of this assessment but these figures are not yet collated. I can, however, advise the Deputy that in 2025 1,426 people have left the country under voluntary return up to 21 November, which is an increase of 90% compared to the same period in 2024.