2315. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications received for international protection; the number approved and the number rejected, by year from 2023 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61656/26]

My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively while ensuring that the integrity of these 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 reduced by approximately one-third.

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-instance 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 23 August this year, IPAT has already closed 6,030 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 came 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 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 processing applicants who have previously applied for protection elsewhere in Europe.

The new system has been in place since 12 June and is operating as intended. My Department undertook significant preparation prior to commencement to ensure readiness for the new timelines required under the Pact.

The table below shows the number of applications for international protection made from 2023 to 23 August 2026.

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

The table below shows the number of international protection first instance decisions made from 2023 to 2026.

*to 11 June 2026, IP Act 2015 data only.

The table below shows the number of international protection first instance decisions made under the IP Act 2026 to 2 September.

*to 2nd Sept, IP Act 2026 data only

All applicants refused international protection have a right to appeal under the International Protection Act 2015 to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal who must then consider if the earlier International Protection Office determinations on refugee status and subsidiary protection should be affirmed or set aside.

The table below shows appeal decisions by IPAT from 2023 to 23 August 2026.

*to 23rd August 2026

A new international protection appeals body, the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) was established on June 12 to process all appeals received under the International Protection Act 2026.

There are 195 appeals pending with the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) with 3 appeals completed as of 31 August 2026.

Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.