International Protection
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-26
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Niall Collins (FF), Limerick County

I thank Senator Keogan for raising the matter, which I am taking of behalf of the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan. I assure the Senator that it is a central priority for our Department that our migration laws are robust and enforced. Over the last number of years, there has been a significantly increased investment into the international protection system to improve efficiencies and output, as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants.
In 2025, the International Protection Office, IPO, delivered over 20,200 first-instance decisions. This is a 44% increase compared with approximately 14,100 decisions made in 2024.
In relation to applicants for international protection who do not present for their personal interviews, this can be due to a number of reasons, including where the applicant is unable to attend due to illness or extreme weather situations. When an applicant provides a medical certificate or a reasonable explanation, either prior to or within three working days of the missed interview, a new date for their interview is arranged. In situations where no medical certificates or reasonable reasons are forthcoming, the applicant's case is considered as potentially non-co-operative. This involves applications being assessed on the basis of the information that is on the file at the time. Where an applicant does not attend a scheduled interview but is able to provide a reasonable explanation or a medical certificate, the interview is rescheduled.
In relation to cases before the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, IPAT, where an appellant does not attend their scheduled hearing, a communication issues to them and their legal representative advising that they have a timeframe of three days in which to engage with the tribunal or else the appeal will be marked for withdrawal. If a response is received within the three days, the assigned tribunal member will consider if the explanation is acceptable to proceed. Where there is no contact, the tribunal issues a notification letter advising that the appeal is deemed withdrawn. Information recorded in this regard is not stored in a manner that allows detailed data to be extracted.
With the transition to the migration pact under way, system updates and moves to improved databases will allow for enhanced data processing and reporting. I can confirm that, from June, it is planned that all interview data will be collected in a manner that will allow for reporting.
I assure the Senator that the Department is committed to enhancing transparency and effective communication of the Department's work, including in the area of international protection.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-26/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:47+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-26