2414. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time for first-instance international protection decisions and subsequent appeals during each month since January 2025; the number of cases currently awaiting a first decision and appeal; and how many cases exceed the 12-week timeframe envisaged under the new EU asylum rules. [58726/26]

My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times.

There has been a significant increase in investment into the international protection system over the last number of years which, combined with digitisation and process reengineering, has facilitated a major increase in processing capacity and demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing cases on hand.

In 2025, the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 20,200 first decisions compared to approximately 14,100 in 2024, a 44% increase. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) more than doubled the number of appeals closed from 3,100 in 2024 to nearly 6,300 in 2025. This year as of 19th July, IPAT has already closed 5,218 appeals and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025.

To date in 2026 the median processing time for IPO first instance decisions is 12 months (accelerated cases are processed in 3 months, while standard cases are processed in 16 months).

The median processing time for International Protection appeals is 13.3 months. The median processing time under the accelerated procedure is 6.9 months and 16.5 months for all other appeals.

The requested data in relation to median processing times of international protection and appeals decisions is outlined in the tables below.

Table 1. Median processing time in months for first instance international protection decisions from 2025 to 2026 (up to 31/05).

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

Accelerated processing was introduced in November 2022, and it now applies to those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe and those from a country with a particularly high number of applications.

Table 2. Median processing time in months for first instance international protection decisions under the accelerated procedure in the years 2025 to 2026 (up to 31/05).

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

Table 3. Median processing time in months for international protection appeals at the IPAT from 2025 to 2026 (up to 31/05).

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

Currently, there are 11,259 international protection applicants awaiting a first instance decision from the IPO under the International Protection Act 2015.

There are 20,772 number of appeals pending with the IPAT under the International Protection Act 2015.

As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act 2026 entered into effect on 12 June 2026 and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

The Pact will provide 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.

While the new system has only been in place for over a month, it is running and in operation as intended. The Department engaged in significant amounts of preparation prior to commencement, particularly around staffing and processes, to ensure readiness for new timelines required under the Pact.

940 applications have been lodged since 12 June under the new International Protection Act 2026 and these are being processed in accordance with the requirements of the 2026 Act. There are no appeals currently pending with the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) as of COB 19 July 2026.