The European Migration Network (EMN) has just published ‘Access to remedies for international protection applicants’, providing a detailed examination of how EMN Member Countries organise their first instance appeals procedures. This EMN Inform delivers a comprehensive comparative analysis, reflecting on procedural safeguards, key challenges, and good practices observed across the EU. This assessment supports the EU’s Pact on Migration … Read More
Latest CSO data on arrivals from Ukraine shows slowing rate of increase
On 19 February 2025, the CSO released the 15th in their Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland series. According to the latest data, there were 112,189 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from Ukraine in Ireland who were issued a PPSN. Of this number, 71% (79,654) had administrative activity after 30 November 2024 which could indicate that nearly 30% of those arrivals … Read More
New EMN-OECD joint Inform shows many approaches to strategy for migration
The European Migration Network (EMN) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have just published the joint inform ‘Designing migration strategies’. It focuses on the development and implementation of migration strategies by governments in EMN Member and Observer Countries, and non-EU OECD countries, highlighting common challenges and good practices. In this inform, strategies are divided into six … Read More
2024 statistics on employment permits released
On 2 January 2025, the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment released statistics on employment permits for 2024. There was a total of 39,390 permits issued, 2,456 were refused, and 1,064 were withdrawn. Since 2021 there have been some fluctuations in the number of employment permits issued. While 2024 saw an increase of a little over 8,000 from the … Read More
New joint EMN-OECD inform examines innovative strategies to attract foreign talent
The latest joint European Migration Network (EMN) – OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) inform examines new and innovative ways to attract foreign talent used by EMN Member Countries and selected non-EMN OECD countries, covering the period January 2021 and March 2024. Based on input from 21 EMN Member Countries and data provided by the OECD, on OECD … Read More
Launch of the Annual Report on Migration and Asylum 2023: Ireland
On 21 January 2025, EMN Ireland and the ESRI launched the Annual Report on Migration and Asylum 2023: Ireland. This report provides an overview of the latest data as well as policy and operational developments, research, and case law from 2023, and is a comprehensive reference that gives an opportunity to view the entire migration landscape in Ireland. … Read More
Latest Annual Report on Migration and Asylum shows nuanced picture of progress and challenge
The European Migration Network (EMN) Ireland and the Economic and Social Research Institute have jointly published this annual review of migration and asylum in Ireland. With an overview of the latest data as well as policy and operational developments, research, and case law from 2023, this report is a comprehensive reference that gives an opportunity to view the entire … Read More
New EMN Ireland study on irregular employment of non-EU nationals shows low inspection rates
While reliable data on the extent of irregular employment of non-EU nationals is limited, new EMN Ireland/ ESRI research published today shows that it occurs across a range of sectors in Ireland, particularly in ‘food service activity’, and mainly within small enterprises. The food service activity sector accounted for 54 per cent of employment permit law breaches in 2023 … Read More
The latest CSO “Arrivals from Ukraine” series shows 75% still in Ireland
On 23 October 2024, the CSO released the 14th “Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland” series. This publication uses administrative data to estimate the number of arrivals from Ukraine, and the number of arrivals still present in Ireland. Overview The total number of beneficiaries of temporary protection (BoTPs) from Ukraine granted PPS numbers was 109,566 as of 29 September 2024. … Read More
New ad-hoq query published on citizenship tests as a part of the naturalisation process
What EMN countries have citizenship tests as part of the naturalisation process? Naturalisation is the process through which an individual can receive a nationality not previously held at the time of their birth. A recent EMN ad-hoc query offers comparative information on citizenship tests as part of the naturalisation process across EMN Member and Observer Countries. The ad-hoc query … Read More
What changes have been made to immigration and international protection under the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Misc. Provisions) Act 2024?
On 23 July 2024, various changes to immigration and asylum legislation were enacted under the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Misc. Provisions) Act 2024. Process for designating safe third countries In March, the High Court ruled that Ireland’s designation of the United Kingdom (UK) as a safe third country is not compliant with EU law. The UK was … Read More
High Court rules that the State failed in duty to provide for basic needs of international protection applicants, breaching their right to dignity
On 01 August 2024, the High Court ruled that the Irish State failed in its duty to provide for the basic needs of international protection applicants, breaching their right to dignity. This case related to the difficulties encountered by the State in providing accommodation to applicants for international protection within the timeframe of December 2023 and May 2024. The judgment … Read More
Data limitations a key challenge for monitoring integration of third country nationals
A new EMN Inform on Monitoring the Integration of Third Country Nationals has found that a lack of data and limitations in the type of data available is a key challenge for monitoring the integration of third country nationals. The availability and detail of data is of key significance for monitoring integration, as 35% of EMN Member and Observer Countries … Read More
Further expansion of accelerated processing of international protection applications
On 29 July 2024, the Department of Justice announced further expansion of measures to accelerate processing of international protection applications. In April, the Department announced that international protection applicants from the country with the highest number of applications in Ireland over the previous three months will have their cases processed under an accelerated procedure. This has now been expanded to the … Read More
Legislative changes to process for revocation of citizenship of naturalised citizens
On 23 July 2024, changes were made to the process for the revocation of citizenship of naturalised citizens by the Court, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024. These amendments follow a 2021 Supreme Court judgment which found the current citizenship revocation process to be unconstitutional as it was not sufficiently independent and lacked appropriate safeguards for … Read More
Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 signed into law
On 17 July 2024, new legislation for a mechanism for the identification and support of victims of trafficking in human beings and the combatting of human trafficking was signed into law. This Act will, for the first time, put an identification and support process for victims of trafficking into legislation. What does the legislation entail? The legislation establishes a revised … Read More
EMN publishes Annual Report on Migration and Asylum 2023
The European Migration Network has just published its Annual Report on Migration and Asylum. This report provides statistical data and an overview of the most significant legal and policy developments in the European Union Member States and EMN Observer Countries in 2023. Key Findings The report presents a number of key findings such as the political agreement reached in December … Read More
Employment Permits Act 2024 signed into law
On 25 June 2024, the Employment Permits Act 2024 was signed into law, bringing in new changes to Ireland’s employment permit system. Based on recommendations of the Review of economic migration policy published in 2018, the Employment Permits Act 2024 aims to consolidate the law concerning employment permits and modernise the employment permit system, according to the Department of Enterprise, … Read More
New additions to safe country of origin list
On 02 July 2024, the Department of Justice announced that Brazil, Egypt, India, Malawi and Morocco have been designated safe countries of origin for the purpose of making a claim for international protection in Ireland. Algeria and Botswana were also added to this list in January 2024. The purpose of the safe countries list is to expedite international protection … Read More
Oireachtas votes to opt into EU Asylum and Migration Pact
On 26 June 2024, both houses of the Oireachtas voted to opt into the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Dáil passed the motion by 79-72 votes. What will this mean for Ireland? As a result of this decision, Ireland will need to make significant changes to current asylum law, policy and procedures, including to the International Protection … Read More