Minister Jim O’Callaghan announces partnership with EUAA to assist with International Protection Appeals

• The EU Asylum Agency to assist the International Protection Appeals Tribunal with an increasing appeal caseload

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD, has today announced that Ireland has signed an Operational Plan with the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) that aims to assist the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) with processing appeals lodged against first instance decisions.

Ireland, like other EU Member States, saw an increase in applicants for international

protection over the last years, with numbers increasing from 2,649 in 2021 to 18,561 in 2024. This increase has significantly impacted the appeal system, with around 15,929 cases pending appeal at the end of September 2025.

In 2025, as of 05 October, 10,836 International Protection Appeals have been accepted.

Welcoming this partnership, Minister O’Callaghan said:

“I have been increasing resources in the end-to-end international process over the course of this year. The increased resources for the International Protection Office have led to a major increase in decisions being made and a consequential increase in cases at appeal stage.

“This agreement with the EUAA for further supports is a welcome addition and will help to speed up the decision timeframes in the Tribunal ultimately resulting in reduced timeframes for appeals.”

Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy said:

“The additional resources being provided by the EUAA, which builds on the significant resources already provided for IPAT, will be of great benefit in reducing the overall caseload and leaving Ireland in a stronger position ahead of the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact next year.”

Ms. Hilkka Becker, Chairperson of IPAT added:

“The experts deployed by the EUAA to support the Tribunal are most welcome and we look forward to gaining further efficiencies through the supports provided.”

Under the agreement, up to 30 EUAA personnel will be deployed to support the Tribunal’s work. This work includes preparing appeal files, conducting research on country-of-origin information and international protection jurisprudence, and providing interpretation in difficult-to-source languages.

Nina Gregori, the EUAA’s Executive Director said:

“Our support to the Irish appeals system, while national authorities focus on implementing the reforms the Migration and Asylum Pact requires, reflect important partnerships between the EUAA and its Member States.”

The plan will be valid until 31 December 2026 and will allow the Tribunal to make best use of its resources while introducing new structures and processes required under the Pact.