Minister Jim O’Callaghan welcomes commencement of the International Protection Act 2026

• Most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State
• Gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact which commences today across Member States
• Co-ordination across the EU, shorter processing times for applications, reduced time spent in IPAS accommodation

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan welcomes the commencement of the International Protection Act 2026 today (12 June).

The legislation represents the most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of

the State and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

The objective of the Act is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure that is consistent with how asylum laws operate across the EU.

Under the Act, upon arrival to the State, applicants will be required to go through screening, which will involve enhanced security and identity checks and the taking of biometric data.

The Act also provides for faster processing, including an accelerated Border Procedure for some applicants, where all decisions and appeals will be concluded within 3 months.

The Border Procedure will be for applicants that are from a country where the proportion of decisions granting international protection is 20% or lower. It can also be used for applicants who are known to have misled authorities or to have destroyed or disposed of an identity or travel document.

A new State body, the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) will have responsibility for appeals, and the removal and deportations process will be faster and less bureaucratic.

Minister Jim O’Callaghan said:

“I have been very clear since taking office that Ireland must have a rules-based immigration system. Today, the commencement of the International Protection Act 2026 marks an important milestone in ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the asylum process, and further building public confidence in the system.

“This historic reform recognises that migration is a challenge not just at a national level but at a European level. Agreeing migration and asylum policy at an EU level means coordinated actions including sharing of information, reducing the number of people applying for protection in numerous EU countries and reviving the return of applicants to the first country they applied in.

“I want to sincerely thank the officials in my Department as well as those across government for their committed work in delivering this Programme for Government commitment.”

Decision-making under the Act will be faster, meaning successful applicants will be granted international protection sooner, and those whose applications are refused can be returned to their country of origin sooner.

Faster processing will result in increased savings to the exchequer with applicants spending less time in the International Protection process and in accommodation.

Minister O’Callaghan also today has appointed Her Honour Judge Karen Fergus as Interim Chief Inspector of Border Procedures to monitor compliance with fundamental human rights in the asylum Border Procedure. Her Honour Judge Fergus is a retired Judge of the Circuit Court.

On the commencement of the International Protection Act, Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy said:

“The International Protection Act is a much needed, radical reform of international protection in this country and will vastly improve efficiencies in the system. The faster processing under these new rules will mean that accommodation requirements and costs will reduce in the years ahead.”

Minister Brophy has also today announced the introduction of an accommodation requirement for those seeking to have their family join them in the state. These changes will take effect from today (12 June).

General Employment Permit holders and other Category C sponsors will be required to provide supporting documentation to demonstrate that they are in a position to accommodate their joining family members, while all sponsors will be ineligible if they are in certain supported accommodation.

The financial thresholds for Irish citizens applying to be joined by spouses and children are also increasing from today. A sponsor must now show a gross income over 3 years of €75,000 (€25,000 per year) an increase from €40,000 (€13,333 per year). Other financial thresholds will increase in line with indexation.

People granted international protection status will also now be required to wait two years from the date they were granted protection before becoming eligible to apply for family reunification under the new Act. Applicants must also meet a number of additional requirements, including demonstrating that the sponsor has sufficient financial resources to support family members without placing an undue burden on the State. There are certain exceptions to this where the sponsor is a minor. In addition, the sponsor must also not be in receipt of certain social protection payments or housing supports and must not owe a debt to the State for a defined period prior to submitting an application.

Commenting on these new measures Minister Brophy said:

“Family reunification remains an important part of our immigration system, and these changes are intended to ensure that the policy continues to operate in a fair, transparent and sustainable manner.

"The revised policy strengthens accommodation and financial requirements for sponsors, providing greater clarity for applicants, while ensuring that those seeking family reunification are able to support those joining them.