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The Department of Justice paid more than €222,000 in reintegration assistance fees during the first half of the year as over 1,100 asylum seekers voluntarily returned to their countries of origin. Voluntary returns averaged at least 100 people per month, peaking at 192 in April. The voluntary return programme helps international protection applicants leave the State before enforced deportation is required, with those applying earlier in the process eligible for increased financial assistance.
Department of Justice paid more than €222,000 in ‘ reintegration assistance’ fees in first half of year The International Protection Office in Dublin. As of August 31st, 1,107 voluntary return s had taken place.
Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin As of August 31st, 1,107 voluntary returns had taken place. Typically, at least 100 international protection applicants voluntarily leave the Republic each month – though the figure is sometimes closer to 200. In January, 96 asylum seekers voluntarily left the State; 100 left in February; 107 in March; 192 in April; 132 in May; 165 in June; 125 in July; and 190 in August.
People who voluntarily return to their country of origin are entitled to apply for a “reintegration assistance” fee. As of June 10th, the departmentEvanne Ní Chuilinn: ‘Dad is at my brother’s grave most days and keeps the candle on it lit’Data centres in Ireland to be offered cut-price gas in return for possible supply disruption People can apply for the assistance payments as an individual or a family unit, though this level of breakdown is not currently available for this year.
Of the people who left in 2025, approximately 1,100 people were approved for financial reintegration assistance. In total, reintegration assistance amounted to €855,723 last year. This included €554,665 in individual grants and €301,057 in family grants.before September 28th, 2025, would be offered an increased reintegration assistance fee if they chose to avail of voluntary return at an earlier stage.
If a person decides to do so at any point in the process prior to appealing any negative first-instance decision in their asylum applications, they will receive A spokesman said the department’s voluntary return programme helps people to leave the State before “an enforced deportation” is required.
“Financial reintegration assistance is provided when the person has departed the State. “Reintegration assistance, which can only be availed of once, encourages people to avail of voluntary return as it increases their capacity to make a life for themselves in their home State. ” “For those who do, there can be a time lag between a person leaving the State and claiming reintegration assistance,” a statement said.
“There can also be a time lag between an individual receiving reintegration assistance and the reporting of that expenditure. ” Under the rules announced last September, if a person has appealed a decision but decides to return voluntarily before the appeal ruling is issued, they will receive €1,500, up to a maximum of €6,000 per family. If they receive a negative decision on their appeal, assistance will only increase for families to a maximum of €3,000.
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