Asylum seekers to be paid up to €10,000 to leave Ireland voluntarily 'for a limited time'

The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan has announced an increase in reintegration assistance payments for people who withdraw their International Protection application and leave Ireland voluntarily. 

With those who opt to leave voluntarily before receiving a first instance decision or before appealing a negative first instance decision, payments will be increased to €2,500 per person up to a maximum of €10,000 per family unit. 

Voluntary Return is an option that is open to people who have no legal status in Ireland or who have withdrawn their application for International Protection or have had it refused. 

Read next: ALERT: Gardai in urgent appeal in locating missing woman last seen in July

According to the Department of Justice, it is a widely used mechanism by governments across Europe and internationally to support people to return in a safe and dignified manner, sustainably reintegrate into their communities, and receive support where necessary. 

"For a short period, people who were in the International Protection process before 28 September 2025, will be offered increased reintegration assistance if they choose to avail of voluntary return at an earlier stage in the process," said a spokesperson.  

The offer of increased payments is not open to new International Protection applicants. 

When implementing returns and removals it is the preferred option of that people leave voluntarily, and the Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. 

So far in 2025, approximately 1, 200 people have left Ireland by way of voluntary return, more than double the 550 who left during the same period in 2024. 

Part of the Voluntary Return process is the reintegration assistance payments. The current level of reintegration assistance offered is up to €1,200 per person and €2,000 per family unit. 

This assistance can only be availed 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. 

Commenting on the increased payments, Minister O’Callaghan 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 incentivize people in the earlier stages of the process to avail of voluntary return and to be supported to leave.” 

He continued: “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.” 

Read next: LATEST: New ban on the sale of vapes and tobacco now in effect – here's what to know

The changes announced by the Minister means that if a person decides to opt for voluntary return either before receiving a first instance decision or before appealing a negative first instance decision their assistance will be increased to €2,500 per person to a maximum of €10,000 per family unit.  

However, if they are in the appeals process and decide to voluntary return before the appeal decision issues their assistance will increase, but to the lower amount of €1,500 per person and to a maximum of €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. 

Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy praised the new scheme saying: “Voluntary return offers people the opportunity to leave Ireland with the assistance of a reintegration grant. They can return home with dignity and with the means to re-establish themselves in their home country; to build their future there. I continue to appeal to those who are given the opportunity of voluntary return to avail of it.” 

There are safeguards in place for vulnerable people and requests for return can be refused if it would be unsafe for the person to return home. 

Speaking on these safeguards, Minister O’Callaghan explained: “I have been increasing resources in my Department’s Voluntary Return Programme which has resulted in almost 1,200 people leaving voluntarily so far in 2025. I will be carefully monitoring this incentive to ensure it is working effectively and as planned.” 

He continued: “Strict safeguards are in place under this programme to prevent abuse. People are only permitted to access the reintegration assistance once their departure is confirmed by my officials and it will not be offered to those convicted of a serious crime.” 

It is estimated the cost of processing an average international protection application is to cost €122,000 per person, including costs such as accommodation and food, social protection payments, health care and education. 

The purpose of the International Protection system is to give protection to people who are fleeing war, torture and oppression. This targeted measure aims to help people leave the process who are not at risk. 

Increasing reintegration assistance for those at an earlier stage in the process is aimed at reducing the pressure on the system from the high numbers of applications received in 2023 and 2024.