Jim O'Callaghan

People who have no legal status in Ireland, or whose application for international protection has been either withdrawn or refused, can already access “reintegration assistance” under the voluntary return programme.

The level of reintegration assistance previously on offer was up to a maximum of €1,200 per person or €2,000 per family unit.

For a limited time, people who were in the international protection process before 28 September 2025 will be offered increased reintegration assistance if they choose to avail themselves of voluntary return at an earlier stage in the process.

A person who decides to opt for voluntary return either before receiving a first instance decision or before appealing a negative first instance decision will see their assistance increased to €2,500 per person or €10,000 per family unit.

If they are in the appeals process and decide to voluntary return before their appeal decision is issued, their assistance will increase to a lower amount of €1,500 per person or €6,000 per family unit.

If they receive a final decision on their application, assistance will only increase for families to a maximum of €3,000 per family unit.

Reintegration assistance can only be taken advantage of once and is offered to support people and families to re-establish themselves, access education or set up a small business when they return home.

Jim O’Callaghan, the minister for justice, home affairs and migration, said: “We need to relieve pressure from our international protection system by reducing the number of people in the process who are not going to be successful.

“This limited-time measure is targeted to incentivise people in the earlier stages of the process to avail of voluntary return and to be supported to leave. I have been stepping up enforcement measures this year with the use of charter flights and that will continue. This incentive will be applied in tandem with enforced returns.

“Voluntary returns is the more favourable option in the returns process as it is significantly quicker and cheaper than removing people through enforced deportations.”