633 Asylum Seekers Voluntarily Left Ireland by May 31st, €222,500 Paid in Assistance
633 asylum seekers voluntarily left Ireland by May 31st, 2024, with the Department of Justice issuing €222,500 in reintegration assistance. This follows a 72 percent increase in voluntary departures in 2023 compared to 2022. Increased financial incentives were introduced for early voluntary returns.
More than 630 asylum seekers, specifically 633 international protection applicants, voluntarily left Ireland in the first five months of 2024, by May 31st. The Department of Justice issued €222,500 in reintegration assistance payments by June 10th this year. Monthly departures included 101 in January, 100 in February, 107 in March, 192 in April, and 133 in May.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan announced last year that individuals in the international protection process before September 28th, 2025, could receive increased reintegration assistance for early voluntary return. Prior to appealing a negative first decision, individuals can receive €2,500 (up to €10,000 per family). If an appeal is lodged but a voluntary return occurs before a ruling, the payment is €1,500 (up to €6,000 per family). After a negative appeal decision, family assistance increases to a maximum of €3,000. The previous assistance was up to €1,200 per person or €2,000 per family.
In 2023, over 1,600 asylum seekers voluntarily left Ireland, a 72 percent rise from 934 in 2022. Despite increased financial incentives from September 2023, there was no marked rise in departures. In 2023, €855,723 was paid in reintegration assistance (€554,666 individual, €301,058 family), significantly higher than the €284,996 paid in 2022 (€206,800 individual, €78,196 family).