2202. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he intends to compile and publish data concerning the number of applications for international protection submitted by persons who had initially or previously entered the State broken down by immigration permission categories (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61105/26]

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

The number of international protection applications has been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers fell by approximately one-third. Application numbers to the end of July 2026 show a further reduction compared to 2025.

There has been a significant increase in investment in the international protection system over the last number of years which, combined with digitisation and process re-engineering, 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 with approximately 14,100 in 2024, representing 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.

As of 16 August this year, IPAT has already closed 5,858 appeals and is on track to significantly exceed the number of appeals closed in 2025.

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 for a fair, sustainable, and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through greater 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 inadmissible cases.

The new system has been in place for two months and is operating as intended. The Department undertook significant preparation prior to commencement, developing and resourcing new processes and procedures to ensure readiness for the new timelines required under the Pact.

The table below provides a yearly breakdown of international protection applications made from 2022 to 2026.

*to 23 August 2026. Combined IP Act 2015 and IP Act 2026 data.

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

Data on the number of persons who applied for international protection and who entered the State on any category of visa has not historically been compiled on a systemic basis. Under the new Pact processes, however, this information is now collected as part of the international protection application process and, as the dataset matures, will support future analysis and reporting on migration and protection trends.