IP applications fell by 29% in Ireland last year - report

The number of international protection applications in Ireland fell by 29% last year compared to 2024, according to a report on the European Council's Asylum Information Database (AIDA).

The AIDA, which is managed by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles, provides up-to date information on international protection to EU member states.

While much of the information is already in the public domain, the report offers an overview on the asylum system, such as processing times, appeals and accommodation.

Last year (2025) was the final year before the General Scheme of the International Protection Bill passed through the Oireachtas, to implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

The report shows that 13,160 people applied for international protection last year, of which there were positive outcomes for over 3,700 applicants.

Throughout 2025, the median processing time for first instance decisions was approximately 17 months which was a slight decrease compared with the previous reporting period (18 months for all applications under the ordinary procedure).

Appeals remained a major challenge, with 15,334 lodged during the year, contributing to a growing backlog which reached almost 20,000.

In response, the European Union Asylum Agency agreed to provide additional staff to support the International Protection Appeals Tribunal until the end of 2026.

At the same time, deportation orders reached more than 4,400 compared with approximately 2,400 the previous year.

Chartered deportation flights removed more than 200 individuals from the State and the Government also introduced enhanced financial incentives for voluntary return.

This meant that asylum applicants who withdrew their claims and returned to their country of origin could receive significantly higher reintegration payments.

Accommodation shortages remain an issue - report

The report highlights how accommodation shortages remained an issue throughout the year with many newly arrived single male applicants being forced to sleep rough due to a lack of accommodation, resulting in legal challenges.

The European Court of Justice examined whether the State had failed to meet its obligations under EU law by not providing adequate reception conditions and found that a failure to provide basic accommodation and support could amount to a serious breach.

The report has also highlighted a change in citizenship and family reunification rules, including a requirement on refugees seeking family reunification to demonstrate sufficient income and accommodation.

In addition, it notes the reinstatement of powers allowing the State to revoke naturalised Irish citizenship in serious cases, following legal reforms designed to address concerns raised by the courts.

When it comes to people fleeing the war in Ukraine, more than 121,000 individuals had registered for temporary protection in Ireland by early 2026 according to the report.

While temporary protection was extended until March 2027, the Government announced plans to gradually reduce accommodation supports and phase out payments to households hosting Ukrainian refugees.

In a statement, the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) reiterated concern over "the significant increase in deportation orders, the expansion of accelerated procedures, limiting access to asylum, family reunification and citizenship".

It said it signals a shift towards a more restrictive approach to protection.

CEO Nick Henderson said: "We are very concerned that these changes are at the expense of fairness, due process, or the rights of people fleeing persecution and conflict."

"While the number of people seeking international protection in Ireland fell in 2025, the year was marked by a continued failure to ensure that everyone seeking safety has access to basic accommodation and dignified reception conditions.

"Many single men continued to experience homelessness after seeking protection in the State. No person seeking refuge should be forced to sleep rough to demonstrate a need for accommodation," he said.

The IRC added that as the EU Migration and Asylum Pact is implemented, "it is essential that efficiency is not pursued at the expense of rights".