Overhaul of asylum laws welcomed by local Deputy

New laws dealing with the asylum process in Ireland will come into place next year, says Tipperary Independent TD, Deputy Michael Lowry.

"Under the new International Protection Bill 2025, applications from people seeking asylum in Ireland will be dealt with in a more efficient manner, which will establish their entitlement to remain in Ireland.

"The new Bill must be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas in time for it to come into operation on 11 June 2026. This is to align with the EU Asylum and Migration Pact that Ireland signed up to last year", he says.

This pact agrees on a new housing strategy for asylum seekers that focuses on moving away from dependence on private providers, such as hotels.

Also, under the pact, Ireland will have permission to return IP applicants who have moved here back to another EU member state to have their claim processed if they have travelled here from that country.

The Government has said it is intended that the Irish Bill will be drafted and published by the end of 2025.

"Currently it can take up to three years to conclude an application for asylum in Ireland", says Deputy Lowry, "but the new laws will reduce this time to within three months, although some cases may take a maximum of six months", adding that "those deemed not to be entitled to remain in the country will have to leave".

The new Bill has received approval from the Government, with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan saying that the speeding up of the process will be achieved by increasing current staffing numbers, in addition to streamlining how the existing system operates.

When the new laws come into place, one of the main changes will be that asylum seekers will no longer have an automatic right to a full oral hearing if their application for International Protection is refused. 

The new legislation will also allow for the use of Screening Centres, however the creation of Detention Centres for people who are seeking international protection is not considered to be likely.

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Instead, State-owned Accommodation Centres will house those seeking asylum where asylum seekers can register and lodge an application.

It is here that the relevant checks will establish the appropriate pathway for applicants, and they can also receive legal counselling.

The Department of Justice says that it is expected that those undergoing Screening will generally be subject to appropriate alternatives to detention or allocation to a geographic area.