2336. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of additional staff recruited to implement the EU Migration pact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57797/26]

As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act 2026 gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and came into effect on 12 June 2026. The Pact provides a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe.

Having a common system across the EU makes sure that all applicants are treated the same in every Member State with no incentive to move from one to another. If Ireland had not opted into the Pact, it is likely that we would face higher levels of secondary movement, slower processing and a less efficient returns system. This would result in applicants staying in the system for much longer, at much greater cost to the State, in terms of the provision of accommodation and other supports.

There has been significant investment in staff across the entire international protection process in recent years and this has increased with the introduction of the Pact. As of 30 June 2026, the International Protection Office (IPO) has 624 staff, an increase of 200% since 2022. In addition, 158 case processing panel members are also contracted by the IPO.

There has also been a substantial increase in resourcing to IPAT. Administrative staff at IPAT have increased from 37 at the start of 2023 to 86 currently.

In addition, a part time Appeals Officers competition is in progress. The successful Appeals Officers from these competitions will be assigned to the new international protection appeals body, the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) which was established on June 12. Some successful candidates may be assigned to the IPAT.

There is currently sanction for the appointment of 30 whole time decision makers, combining whole-time members in the IPAT and whole-time appeals officers in TARA. With 6 whole-time IPAT members currently, the remaining 24 posts are intended to be filled from the competition that recently concluded. There is a sanction for the appointment of 200 part-time decision makers, combining part time IPAT members and part time appeals officers in TARA. With 134 part time members of IPAT currently, the remaining 66 posts are intended to be filled through the current competition.

It should be noted that the International Protection Appeals Tribunal will continue in existence to process appeals relating to applications under the International Protection Act 2015.

Additional staff have also been assigned to related functions within the Department's Immigration Service Delivery function that deal with deportations and accommodation of international protection applicants.

While projections for future levels of international protections applications are uncertain and impacted by a range of factors, the introduction of the Pact is expected to better respond as previously described.

Staffing levels will be kept under review having regard to trends in application numbers and requirements across the international protection process.