Ireland has seen a dramatic rise in deportation orders this year, with 1,792 orders signed to date – marking a 140% increase compared to 2023, according to a new report to be presented by Justice Minister Helen McEntee this week.
The surge follows the implementation of “accelerated processing” in the international protection system, which has led to a 165% increase in enforced deportations compared to last year. The system, designed to quickly process asylum applications and return unsuccessful applicants to their home countries, has significantly reduced asylum applications, particularly from designated safe countries.
Applications from eight initially listed safe countries have dropped by 71%, with the list now expanded to 15 nations. Notable decreases include a 66% reduction in applications from Nigeria and 67% from Jordan after their inclusion in the accelerated processing scheme.
The crackdown on irregular migration has intensified, with 138 arrests made this year and over 6,000 doorstop operations conducted at Dublin Airport in the first nine months. Voluntary returns have also increased significantly, rising from 175 in 2023 to 648 this year.
To strengthen immigration enforcement, plans are underway to deploy 100 additional gardaí by early next year, while cooperation continues with UK authorities to prevent illegal border crossings from Northern Ireland.
According to The Irish Examiner, these measures represent Ireland’s most significant overhaul of its immigration enforcement system in recent years, with the accelerated processing system showing immediate impact on application numbers and returns.