Ireland has seen a dramatic rise in the number of appeals by asylum seekers against rejected applications. According to recent data, the number of appeals has surged by 900% since 2017. Last year alone, the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) received 8,835 appeals, compared to just 887 in 2017. This significant increase highlights the growing challenges faced by asylum seekers in Ireland.
The rise in appeals is partly due to the increasing number of asylum applications. In 2024, Ireland saw 18,561 new applications for international protection, a substantial increase from previous years. This surge in applications has put immense pressure on the appeals system, leading to longer processing times and a growing backlog of cases.
The IPAT’s latest annual report reveals that the number of appeals could almost double again in 2025, with expectations of over 16,000 appeals this year. The report also highlights that more than half of all appeals accepted by the IPAT last year were from applicants from Georgia, Nigeria, and Algeria. Other countries contributing to the majority of appeals include South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Afghanistan, Jordan, Somalia, and Egypt.
Despite the high number of appeals, the success rate remains relatively low. The report shows that 72% of appeals were unsuccessful, with the IPAT affirming the original decision of the International Protection Office. The overall success rate of appeals was 28%, but this varied significantly depending on the applicant’s country of origin. For example, applicants from Algeria had a success rate of just 6%, while those from Somalia had a success rate of 73%.
John Lannon, CEO of migrants’ rights group Doras, described the appeals process as “critical.” He noted that almost two-thirds of asylum claims were denied in 2023, but 30% of those initial rejections were later overturned on appeal. This demonstrates that the right decision is not always made in the first instance, and the appeals process plays a vital role in ensuring fairness and justice for asylum seekers.
The report also highlights issues with the fast-tracking of applications from 15 countries designated as “safe.” These include countries like Egypt, where there are grave human rights abuses, including arbitrary and unlawful killings, enforced disappearance, and torture. Nigeria and Jordan are also subject to the accelerated procedure, treated as “safe countries.” This fast-tracking process has raised concerns about the adequacy of trained resources to make informed decisions.
The growing number of appeals has led to increased pressure on the IPAT and the Department of Justice. The system is struggling to process completed appeals at the same rate, resulting in a growing backlog. At the end of December 2024, the IPAT had a record caseload of 9,705 appeals, despite its best efforts with the available resources.
The overall processing times for all appeals have increased to 10 months due to the sharp rise in appeals over the past 24 months. The IPAT has implemented modernisation measures, including the move to fully digital appeal files and efforts to reduce the rate of postponements of hearings. However, the significant increase in appeals has made it challenging to keep up with the demand.
The Irish government is legally obliged by EU and international law to provide basic services, including housing, to those awaiting an asylum decision. This obligation adds to the complexity of managing the growing number of appeals and ensuring that asylum seekers receive the support they need while their cases are being processed.
