Process for International Protection Applications remains far too long – Matt Carthy TD
12 March 2025
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Matt Carthy TD, has said that figures provided to him in reply to a Parliamentary Question show that the process for dealing with international protection applications, including from countries subject to so-called accelerated procedures, are still far too slow.
The figures reveal that the average processing time for a person from such a country takes an average of 15 months where the person appeals the decision.
Teachta Carthy said:
“The sense that Ireland’s International Protection system is broken will be reinforced by this latest information.
“In response to my parliamentary question, Minister Jim O’Callaghan has confirmed that the average processing time for an applicant from a country subject to accelerated procedures is 15 months where that person appeals the decision.
“The equivalent for those from countries not subject to accelerated procedures is two years and eight months. These processing times are far too slow.
“The efficient and timely processing of international protection applications is vital if the system is to be fair, is to work properly and have the confidence of the public. These lengthy processing times are putting huge strains on the availability of accommodation and mean that often there is no accommodation for vulnerable people fleeing war and persecution.
“We have heard a lot of talk from Minister O’Callaghan about what he is going to do in relation to the migration system. These figures show that the government has not got on top of this issue and that it is still taking far too long to process applications.
“For the system to work there needs to be fast and fair decisions and greater follow up to ensure that those not eligible to be here actually leave.”
