The Republic of Ireland has seen a striking increase in international protection (IP) applications, with the first half of this year reporting nearly twice as many applicants as the corresponding period in the previous year. IP applications by the end of June reached 10,604, up 93.9% from the 5,470 recorded by June last year.
The latest statistics from the Department of Justice indicate an additional 623 asylum seekers had arrived in the country by the 9th of July, bringing the total to 11,227. Roderic O’Gorman, the Minister for Integration, had predicted at the beginning of the year that an influx of about 15,000 asylum seekers would be the “new normal” the nation should prepare for in the coming years.
During a recent appearance on RTÉ’s Prime Time, Mr O’Gorman emphasised that Ireland wasn’t the only European country witnessing a substantial rise in asylum seekers. He predicted that the number could likely increase to between 21,000 and 22,000 by the year’s end. Mr O’Gorman stated that to cater for this potential increase, they were making provisions for 14,000 State-owned beds and additional commercial support.
The current IP seekers amount to 31,473 individuals in Ireland. The bulk of this year’s numbers is brought upon by a significant surge in applicants from Nigeria, with nearly a fourfold increase from last year’s 764 applications in the first six months to a staggering 2,999 this year. With these figures, Nigerians represent close to 30% of all asylum seekers in Ireland this year, the most substantial number from a single nation.
Nigeria wasn’t included in the updated safe countries of origin list unveiled last week. Other predominant countries of origin this year included Jordan (1,037), Pakistan (769), Somalia (649), and Bangladesh (649). The remaining 4,486 (or 42.3%) of applicants hail from various other nations.
In 2023 Algeria was recognised as the principal source country for individuals seeking international protection. However, after it was designated as a ‘safe country’ in January, it fell off the top five list of such countries. Similarly, Georgia, which was also accorded safe country status last year, dropped out of the top five.
A country is labelled as ‘safe’ if it is generally and consistently free from persecution, torture, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, and violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict.
Statistics from the Justice Department indicate a surge of 76% in deportation orders for unsuccessful asylum seekers on a year-on-year basis. To this point, 957 deportation orders have been issued, in contrast to 744 by July 7th of the previous year.
There has been a substantial 132% increase in the execution of deportations (51 enforced deportations so far in 2024 compared to 22 the previous year). Likewise, voluntary returns have ascended by 145% against the equivalent time frame last year, moving from 109 to 267.
Within May and June of 2024, 84 individuals who were denied international protection either voluntarily left with the help of supports or were compulsorily exiled from the State via escorted deportation. Of this assembly, 12 were subjected to escorted deportation, whilst 72 chose to return voluntarily.
The question of deportations has turned into a delicate matter for the Government. Justice Minister Helen McEntee recently issued a request for tender for charter flights to dispel individuals no longer permitted to stay in the State.