18. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there are any more charter flights organised before the end of 2026 for deportations; the number of people that will be included in these deportations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49844/26]

It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.

Deportations are costly and complex to enforce. 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. A person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued and I have increased resources into this programme to enable individuals who wish to return before a deportation order is issued to them.

Charter flight services recommenced last year and are provided by Air Partner Ltd under a contract entered into in November 2024. Charter flights provide an alternative to commercial flights and can be more appropriate in circumstances when a group of individuals are being removed to the same destination. This has increased the options available to An Garda Síochána to effect removals and deportations.

In 2025, six charter flight operations removed 205 people from the State, while four charter operations to date in 2026 have seen the removal of 172 people from the State.

Further charter operations will be conducted throughout 2026. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to disclose the details of these operations.

While charter flights have increased the options available to An Garda Síochána to effect removals, commercial flights remain the the primary means of deportation from the state. People are deported from the state on a daily and weekly basis on scheduled commercial flights where this is deemed appropriate.