Asylum seekers’ tents near the International Protection Office and Refugee Legal Service on Lower Mount Street, Dublin.
‘Too many seeking asylum who don’t qualify’: Justice Minister vows crackdown.
Credit: Shutterstock, Derick P. Hudson
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has fired a warning shot over Ireland’s asylum system, declaring “too many people are coming here who are not entitled to international protection”. The minister, who took over the Justice, Home Affairs and Migration brief last month, insists a faster and stricter process is on the cards – promising to weed out unqualified claimants and ease pressure on legitimate refugees.
Bold words from the new boss
“Too many people are coming to Ireland seeking international protection, who are not entitled to it,” O’Callaghan thundered during an interview with RTÉ’s This Week. “The system will change.”
He wants a swifter approach to reject unmerited applications, citing figures that show last year a whopping 18,500 asylum seekers arrived. The Department of Justice forecasts another 15,000 this year. O’Callaghan revealed that, out of 14,000 applications in 2024, over 65 per cent were knocked back first time – while this year, that rejection rate has already soared above 80 per cent.
Hard lines and heartbreak
“The people who are really suffering,” O’Callaghan warned, “are those who are legitimately entitled to claim it, who may not be provided accommodation because of the numbers coming in. That is an area I am not going to shy away from.”
A new home truth?
But the minister was crystal clear that he won’t be throwing open the doors to ever-expanding accommodation. “I’m not going to create as many accommodation spaces as possible for asylum seekers,” he said, pointing to the “ever-increasing” arrivals as the key driver of housing demand.
He gave City West as a shining example of how larger centres can work well. “Rather than building places, the preference should be to buy places,” he explained, confirming plans to “buy a series of centres around the country”.
He refused to reveal how many or how much. Still, he insisted it’s cheaper in the long run for the State to own such properties outright.
Ukrainian puzzle piece
O’Callaghan also addressed the fate of Ukrainian refugees. Asked about the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme – where the Government pays €800 per property for hosting, due to end this month – he stressed it’s still technically under the remit of former Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman’s department.
In a final flourish, O’Callaghan promised that a decision on the ARP scheme for Ukrainians will be hammered out before the end of February.
The final word
The Minister’s message? Ireland is tightening its asylum belt, cracking down on those who don’t qualify and focusing on cutting costs and chaos. With thousands still on the move, O’Callaghan’s stance looks set to ruffle feathers far and wide – and it’s clear he’s not about to back down.
Watch this space: Ireland’s new Justice Minister means business, and his next move could send ripples across Europe’s migrant landscape.
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