260. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people who are in the international protection application process who were directly contacted by email in relation to voluntary return further to the policy announcement made on 29 September 2025 and who are an unaccompanied minor, received a vulnerability assessment, and the number of people from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Afghanistan who have received such communication. [53969/25]

264. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people who are in the international protection application process who were directly contacted by email in relation to voluntary return further to the policy announcement made on 29 September 2025. [53984/25]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 264 together.

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 2024, 934 people left Ireland by way of voluntary return. This year 1,212 people have left up to 3 October 2025, which is an increase of 106% compared to the same period in 2024.

A person who is intending to avail of voluntary return can arrange their return independently or they can be assisted with travel costs, financial aid and administrative support by my Department or through my Department’s partner, the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The option of voluntary return is not offered to those convicted of serious criminality.

The voluntary return service comprises of pre-departure counselling, organising travel arrangements and the payment of a reintegration grant. My Department’s programme provides assistance to people who wish to leave and are not deemed to be in a vulnerable situation. In general terms, the IOM considers more vulnerable cases.

Part of the voluntary return process is the offer of reintegration assistance – this is a grant that helps people get back on their feet when they return home.

This grant was set at €1,200 per person and €2,000 per family unit.

Last week, I announced that for a limited time, people who were in the International Protection process before 28 September 2025, will be offered an increased allowance if they leave at an earlier stage in the process. This aims to reduce pressure on the system from the high number of applications received in recent years.

This means that if a person decides to opt for voluntary return either before a first instance decision is made, or without submitting an appeal, their assistance will be increased to €2,500 per person to a maximum of €10,000 per family unit.

If a person is in the appeals process, it is €1,500 per person and €6,000 per family unit.

If a person has received a final decision on their application the amount remains at the previous rate of €1200 or a slightly higher amount for a family of €3,000.

The increased assistance level will be offered to everyone in the International Protection process before 28 September 2025 and people are not being excluded on grounds of nationality. Email communications are issued to adults and not to children.

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. My Department assesses each application on their eligibility for the programme.

If an unaccompanied minor wished to return under the programme their request to leave Ireland would be carefully managed to ensure their safety and well-being. Applications on behalf of unaccompanied minors are made by the appropriate HSE and TUSLA teams and will always be referred onwards to the IOM for assistance. I can assure the Deputy such a return requires the completion of a vulnerability assessment and a best interest determination by their Social Work Team and TUSLA before it could be approved. Additionally, in these circumstances the IOM liaise with their in-country Protection Teams and the unaccompanied minor’s family to support the return. Only once these steps are undertaken and with the minor’s full agreement would a voluntary return be facilitated. While the higher levels of reintegration assistance will be made available to unaccompanied minor if they applied for international protection before 28 September 2025, specific outreach with this group is not being undertaken.

As of 03 October 2025, there are 33,961 applications pending at different stages of the international protection process.

The table below details the number of pending applications at all stages of the International Protection process from nationals recorded as being from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Afghanistan as of 03 October 2025.

* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.