Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has said that the government has undershot what was necessary in Budget 2025 to tackle the waiting times in processing asylum claims.

Teachta Ó Laoghaire said:

“It is very clear that the system for processing asylum seekers’ applications is completely overwhelmed. It is taking over 12 months on average and often some 18 months to process claims.

“That is in no one’s interest. It is not the interest of asylum seekers, nor is it in the interests of the state. We need to see a system where if people are not successful in their applications that they are returned to their home country, and if they are successful that they have the opportunity to integrate into Irish society, rather than being stuck in the system.

“Quick decisions would free up accommodation and direct resources to those who need them most. In 2023, two thirds of decisions held that the applicants were not eligible for International Protection here. If you do not fund the application processing system properly, then people who are not eligible for asylum, will continue to occupy beds.

“The allocation from the government to the International Protection Office and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal doesn’t meet the mark.

“The government has allocated €25m – Sinn Féin would have allocated 40% more to both the IPO and IPAT. The government’s proposals would increase staffing by 400, whereas the Sinn Féin proposals would have led to 600 additional staff being increased.

“This is an investment that can make a significant difference in resolving our overwhelmed asylum system, unfortunately the government has chosen not to make the investment that was necessary.”