Members of the public have raised concerns about the expense of deportation flights in correspondence sent to Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, reports Breaking News.
So far this year, six deportation flights have departed from the State via charter services, resulting in 205 people being removed, reports Breaking News.
A total of 146 people have been deported from the State specifically on chartered flights, reports Breaking News.
Following the most recent flight to Georgia, Mr O’Callaghan stated: “I would like to reiterate that if a person’s application for international protection is refused and they are ordered to leave the State, they must do so. If they choose not to leave voluntarily, they will be forced to leave.”
Correspondence from the public to Mr O’Callaghan, obtained by *BreakingNews.ie* through a Freedom of Information request, revealed widespread concern about the high costs associated with deportation flights, reports Breaking News.
Referring to a deportation flight to Nigeria which reportedly cost €325,000, one member of the public wrote: “Given Ireland’s ongoing resource constraints and the increasing pressures on public services, I believe there are more efficient and humane ways to manage deportations, particularly where individuals may be willing to leave voluntarily. I would like to propose an alternative approach aimed at reducing both the financial and operational burdens associated with forced deportations, while potentially increasing voluntary returns.”
The same person suggested several reforms, such as a €7,000 payment for individuals who self-deport before a decision on their application, and €5,000 for those who self-deport during the appeal stage, reports Breaking News.
They also proposed creating a digital portal for self-deportation applications and recommended that enforced measures be used only “when necessary.”
Another member of the public urged Mr O’Callaghan to “please increase deportation flights,” reports Breaking News.
Responding to an email about the cost of deportation operations, Mr O’Callaghan’s private secretary wrote: “It is a central priority for Minister O’Callaghan that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules-based. Removing people who do not have permission to remain in Ireland is undertaken through voluntary returns and deportation,
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“Both types of returns are essential for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area. 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.
“It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily, and the Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. In the majority of cases a voluntary return costs significantly less than an enforced deportation,” reports Breaking News.
The letter also noted that voluntary return payments currently stand at €1,200 for individuals and range from €1,000 to €2,000 for families.
Another person asked Mr O’Callaghan to “please outline what measures are being taken to significantly reduce the cost of deportations,” reports Breaking News.
A separate letter to Mr O’Callaghan from Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins expressed concern over child welfare in the context of enforced deportations.
Ms Cummins wrote: “Even more disturbing are the reports that children were removed from their communities without any opportunity to emotionally prepare for the move. These were children who were still in school, whose academic year was not yet finished, and who were embedded in classrooms and communities. No time appears to have been given for them to say goodbye to friends, teachers, or trusted adults,” reports Breaking News.
“There is no indication that any effort was made to ease the transition or offer psychological support. The experience of being removed so suddenly, without closure or explanation, can have a significant and lasting impact on a child’s mental health and development. I am concerned that no trauma-informed planning appears to have guided this process. I would like to know whether child protection professionals, such as those from Tusla or other relevant agencies, were consulted in advance of the operation. I would also like to know what safeguards, if any, are in place to ensure that deportations involving children are carried out in a way that minimises emotional harm and respects their rights and dignity,” reports Breaking News.
“In the absence of such procedures, there is a very real risk of compounding trauma in already vulnerable young people. Minister, I urge your Department to account for the decisions that led to this outcome. I believe a full review is necessary, not just of this flight but of the broader system under which deportations of families and children are managed. Compassion, care, and proper process must underpin every aspect of these decisions. Deportation will always be difficult, but it should never be inhumane,” reports Breaking News.
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