2323. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications for International Protection that have been received under each procedure since the International Protection Act 2026 became operational; the numbers therein where decisions have been made to refuse or grant International protection; the number of appeals to those decisions that have been submitted; the number of appeals that have been upheld; and the number outstanding, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61712/26]

2327. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applicants for International Protection under each procedure who applied since the International Protection Act 2026 became operational that are confirmed to have left the State following refusal of their application, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61713/26]

2336. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications for international protection that have been received under each procedure since the International Protection Act 2026 became operational by nationality and outcome, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61730/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2323, 2327 and 2336 together.

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.

The number of International Protection applications have been rising over the past number of years, reaching 18,500 in 2024. In 2025, application numbers reduced by approximately a third.

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.

As of 16 August 2026, IPAT has already completed 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 entered into effect on 12 June 2026 and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

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.

While the new system has only been in place since 12 June, it is operating as intended. My Department engaged in significant preparation work prior to commencement to ensure readiness for the new timelines required under the Pact.

Under the new International Protection Act 2026, 1,638 people have made applications for international protection since 12 June.

The table below outlines pathway outcomes for the 1,314 applicants who have completed screening under the IP Act 2026 up to 24 August.

The table below shows the total number of International Protection applicants by nationality under the IP Act 2026 as of 12 June 2026.

*to 24th August, IP Act 2026 data only

The table below shows the number of international protection first instance decisions made under the IP Act 2026 to 2 September. My Department does not provide detailed statistics on international protection grant and refusal rates by nationality.

*to 2nd Sept, IP Act 2026 data only

As of 31 August 2026, there are 195 appeals pending before the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA), with three appeals completed since its establishment on 12 June 2026.

In relation to departures from the State following refusal or other negative decisions under the International Protection Act 2026, one person has been removed from the State as of 31 August 2026 and four applicants have been recorded as having availed of voluntary return as of 2 September 2026. Given the recent commencement of the new legislative framework, the volume of completed returns remains limited. The Department will continue to monitor outcomes arising under each procedure as the new system matures and larger datasets become available.

Please note that all figures are correct at the time of issue but remain subject to ongoing validation and data cleansing.

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