2153. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on a matter (details supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55051/26]

It is a central priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced.

The State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates that they wish to make an application for international protection. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law and the Government takes those commitments very seriously.

Each application for international protection is examined in detail on its individual merits, taking all factors into account.

Where an applicant has been refused and has exhausted all appeal avenues for international protection, they have the option of voluntary return, which if not accepted will in the normal course lead to the making of a deportation order. The only barrier to that course of action is the provisions of section 50 of the International Protection Act 2015 on the prohibition of refoulement.

If a person does not remove themselves from the State following the issuance of a deportation order, they will be removed. A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State, and the enforcement of a deportation order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).

My Department works closely with the GNIB to progress arrangements for the removal of people subject to deportation orders.

Any person who is the subject to a deportation order is ineligible for social assistance payments and a range of other public services such as accommodation.