In a policy that quietly took effect this week, the Department of Justice has increased one-time reintegration payments for asylum seekers who withdraw their applications and depart Ireland voluntarily. Eligible individuals can now receive €2,500 each, capped at €10,000 per family unit—more than double the previous maximum of €2,000.
The enhanced offer is limited to people who entered the protection process before 28 September 2025 and who exit before a first-instance decision or, at a lower rate, before an appeal outcome. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said the measure is designed to ‘relieve pressure’ on an overstretched reception system; almost 1,200 applicants opted for voluntary return in 2025, up from 550 the year before.
Voluntary return is significantly cheaper than enforced deportation, which can involve charter flights and prolonged detention. The department estimates that processing a single asylum claim costs the State €122,000 when accommodation, social protection, healthcare and education are included.
![Ireland boosts voluntary-return grants to €10,000 per family in bid to free asylum-system capacity]()
For companies and individuals navigating Ireland’s wider immigration procedures, VisaHQ offers practical assistance by supplying real-time visa requirements, document checklists and application management. Its dedicated Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) can help employers and migrants alike understand lawful travel, stay and return options, complementing official guidance and reducing administrative headaches.
For global-mobility managers, the policy may marginally reduce competition for emergency housing stock that some companies rely on for short-term assignee accommodation. However, NGOs have voiced concerns about potential coercion and the short application window.
The higher grants are funded from the existing returns budget and will be reviewed after six months. Employers should advise staff with pending protection claims to seek independent legal counsel before making any decisions.
The enhanced offer is limited to people who entered the protection process before 28 September 2025 and who exit before a first-instance decision or, at a lower rate, before an appeal outcome. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said the measure is designed to ‘relieve pressure’ on an overstretched reception system; almost 1,200 applicants opted for voluntary return in 2025, up from 550 the year before.
Voluntary return is significantly cheaper than enforced deportation, which can involve charter flights and prolonged detention. The department estimates that processing a single asylum claim costs the State €122,000 when accommodation, social protection, healthcare and education are included.
For companies and individuals navigating Ireland’s wider immigration procedures, VisaHQ offers practical assistance by supplying real-time visa requirements, document checklists and application management. Its dedicated Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) can help employers and migrants alike understand lawful travel, stay and return options, complementing official guidance and reducing administrative headaches.
For global-mobility managers, the policy may marginally reduce competition for emergency housing stock that some companies rely on for short-term assignee accommodation. However, NGOs have voiced concerns about potential coercion and the short application window.
The higher grants are funded from the existing returns budget and will be reviewed after six months. Employers should advise staff with pending protection claims to seek independent legal counsel before making any decisions.
