Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has officially approved a new measure that will provide asylum seekers and their families with up to €10,000 if they choose to withdraw their claim for International Protection, reports RTE.
This increased financial support under the voluntary return scheme is targeted at individuals who applied for asylum in Ireland prior to 28 September and are still awaiting a decision regarding their status.
Through the voluntary return initiative, those seeking asylum can receive assistance to return to their country of origin if they no longer have permission to stay in Ireland, reports RTE.
The Department of Justice explained that the enhanced “reintegration allowance” is being introduced for applicants earlier in the process to help alleviate the burden on the current asylum system.
According to the department, as of 19 September this year, 1,159 people have left Ireland via voluntary return — a 129% increase compared with the same timeframe in 2024, reports RTE.
Currently, the voluntary return programme provides a grant of up to €1,200 per individual and €2,000 per family.
Under the revised scheme, the payment will rise to €2,500 per person, with a maximum of €10,000 available per family.
This higher rate is specifically available to those who entered the asylum process before 28 September and are still waiting for a final decision, reports RTE.
The voluntary return option applies to individuals who lack legal residency in Ireland, have withdrawn their asylum application, or have had it refused.
However, the scheme excludes anyone convicted of a serious criminal offence.
Speaking to reporters in Carlow, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said: “We know that deportations do play an important role in relation to having a fair and efficient migration system in place. But it is also costly, it also takes a lot of time to actually make them happen and I understand what Minister O’Callaghan is doing is looking at other ways in which we could ensure that those who will be leaving Ireland at some point in the future do so in a more timely and more efficient way,” reports RTE.
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