Changes may be made to construction regulations regarding modular buildings in order to facilitate the governmental creation of an increased number of quick-build units. These alterations are aimed at further aiding individuals seeking international protection, as well as refugees arriving from Ukraine. The existing guidelines already allow for the expedited creation of such facilities for Ukrainian refugees, however, it is being considered whether this provision should be broadened to also include those applying for international protection and possibly students. This was one of the topics in the conversation held by ministers at Thursday’s Cabinet Committee on Migration meeting, with the ultimate intention of adopting a more long-term strategy regarding the use of modular housing. This shift seems feasible due to a recent decrease in Ukrainian refugees seeking support in Ireland.
The same meeting also dealt with the EU Migration Pact, with Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin emphasizing the importance of a swift processing system. Justice Minister Helen McEntee highlighted how accelerated processing times for “safe countries” have led to a significant 50% decrease in the influx of individuals from these nations. Since November 2022, such a hastened procedure has been applicable to eight nations, resulting in a drop by half in the applications from these areas. As an example, she cited Georgia, which was added to that list when it was dealing with the highest number of applicants and has since fallen out of the top ten.
The ministers were updated on the approved legislation aimed at resolving the legal ambiguity following the High Court’s decree that the UK could not be classified as a “safe country.” The goal is for these new regulations to receive the green light from the Oireachtas Houses by June. Apparently, the legislative changes could imply that a Nigerian individual, who comes to Ireland through the UK and has their asylum application rejected, would have to return to Nigeria. The intention is for this move to send an explicit message to immigrants that if they are denied asylum, they will be returned to their country of origin.
Altogether, by the end of April, there were 513 deportation orders, including 136 voluntary repatriations among the 186 individuals expelled from the state.