Ireland ramped up its enforcement of immigration laws more than any other EU country last year, with the number of non-EU nationals deported after being issued with a removal order rising by nearly four times, reports Breaking News.
According to new data from the European Commission, Ireland’s rate of returning failed international protection applicants outside EU borders in 2024 surged by 265 per cent — significantly higher than the EU average of 17 per cent.
Figures show that 1,040 asylum seekers were sent from Ireland to destinations outside the EU last year, compared with 285 in 2023, reports Breaking News.
In contrast, 14 of the 27 EU countries — including Denmark, the Netherlands, Greece, and Austria — reported a drop in the number of rejected asylum seekers being deported after receiving removal orders.
The data also shows that Irish immigration enforcement efforts have intensified significantly over the past two years, with just 150 individuals removed in 2021 and 190 in 2022, reports Breaking News.
In 2024, the most frequent country of origin among returnees was Georgia, with 200 deportations, followed by Brazil (160), Jordan (155), South Africa (85), Nigeria (45), and Albania (40).
Among those returned, 135 were classed as “assisted forced returns,” while the rest included both assisted and unassisted voluntary departures.
The statistics also reveal that Ireland recorded the second highest rate of increase in issuing leave orders to non-EU nationals in 2024 among EU countries, reports Breaking News.
The number of these orders issued by Irish officials more than tripled last year.
A total of 3,234 non-EU citizens received removal orders in 2024, up from 1,060 in 2023 — a 206 per cent rise, compared to the EU average increase of just over 4 per cent.
In previous years, the numbers were significantly lower — only 160 in 2021 and 600 in 2022, reports Breaking News.
Only Spain saw a greater rise, issuing over 51,000 removal orders in 2024, up from approximately 10,600 the year before.
Again, a majority of EU countries — 15 in total, including France, Sweden, Austria, and the Netherlands — saw decreases in asylum seekers being ordered to leave last year, reports Breaking News.
Ireland’s figures also showed a steady rise throughout the year in non-EU citizens being told to leave, from 380 in the first quarter to 1,225 in the final three months.
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Citizens from Georgia made up the largest share of removal orders, totaling 915 — over 25 per cent of the total.
Other significant nationalities included Brazil (340), Algeria (300), Nigeria (180), South Africa (170), Jordan (165), Albania (160), and Pakistan (135), reports Breaking News.
Several of these countries — such as Albania, Algeria, Georgia, and South Africa — were designated as safe in 2022, with more, including Brazil, India, and Egypt, added in 2024.
Countries deemed safe mean that asylum applications from those places are fast-tracked to be processed within three months, reports Breaking News.
A safe country of origin is defined as one where individuals generally face no risk of persecution, torture, inhumane treatment, or indiscriminate violence.
A Department of Justice spokesperson said it was a key focus for Minister Jim O’Callaghan that Ireland’s immigration policies are “robust, fair, efficient and enforced.”
“The removal of persons who have been refused permission to remain is an essential requirement for the immigration system to work effectively and to ensure that the public has confidence in the application of our laws in this area,” the spokesperson said, reports Breaking News.
The Department stated that the Government has taken major steps to strengthen immigration enforcement and boost the number of people removed after being denied permission to stay.
A charter flight to Georgia in February 2025 removed 35 people under deportation orders — the first of several such operations planned, the spokesperson confirmed.
He added: “Enforced deportation operations are complex and costly. They often involve investigations, detection, detentions in custody, legal challenges, flight costs and confirmation with the return country that the person is their citizen,” reports Breaking News.
The Department emphasized that voluntary return is preferred, and there is a support programme to help people leave before a deportation order is issued.
It also noted that many individuals likely left the State unaccompanied, so the official deportation figures do not reflect all departures, reports Breaking News.
The spokesperson said that 480 people had already been removed from Ireland in 2025 so far, including 68 deported by enforcement.
In February, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said too many people were seeking asylum “who are not entitled to it,” reports Breaking News.
Mr O’Callaghan highlighted that 80 per cent of applications submitted in January 2025 were rejected at first review.
He acknowledged the need for an efficient system to manage asylum requests, noting that accommodation is currently being provided for 32,000 individuals while their claims are being processed, reports Breaking News.
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