Asylum seeker applications fall by thousands in 2025 following record surge in Ireland

The number of people applying for asylum in Ireland fell significantly in 2025, following a record surge in the previous year, according to official figures from the International Protection Office (IPO).

A total of 13,160 people applied for international protection last year, representing a drop of almost 30% compared with 2024 which saw 18,651 asylum applications, the highest annual total on record.

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The 2025 figures mark a return to levels similar to 2023 which saw approximately 13,264 applications and 2022 which saw 13,651 applications.

The sharp increase in 2024 placed significant pressure on accommodation across Ireland as well as processing systems, prompting increased political focus on migration policy.

The Department of Justice has previously said that changes to international protection procedures, including the designation of additional safe countries and the expansion of accelerated decision-making processes, were aimed at reducing application backlogs and discouraging unfounded claims.

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Figures published by the department also show an increase in voluntary returns during 2025, alongside a reduction in overall applications.

Since November 2022, 15 countries have been designated as safe countries where citizens from those countries can apply for asylum and have their applications processed within a period of three months.

There has been a notable drop of nearly 70% in applications from these designated safe countries following the introduction of this accelerated process.

There was an increase in the number of asylum seekers voluntarily leaving Ireland last year, however, there was no noted increase from September despite the Government offering financial incentives for those who left.

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Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said that for a "limited time" people who were in the middle of an international protection process before September 28 would be given an increased "reintegration assistance" fee if they chose to voluntarily leave.

As of December 2025, Ireland was housing nearly 33,000 international protection applicants in more than 300 accommodation centres across the country.