A single charter flight that removed 24 men from Dublin to Islamabad on 23 September cost the Exchequer €473,000 – the most expensive deportation operation this year, according to a parliamentary reply released yesterday. The figure excludes ancillary expenses such as ground handling, medical personnel and flight-management fees, meaning the true bill is likely higher.
The September operation followed three earlier charters – two to Georgia and one to Nigeria – that together cost €530,941. In total, 130 people have been deported by charter and 137 by commercial airlines in 2025. Opposition TDs argue the sums would be better spent accelerating asylum decision-making and expanding voluntary-return grants.
Business immigration advisers say the episode underlines the importance of ensuring employees’ residence status is kept up to date. “Once an order issues, GNIB can move very quickly,” notes solicitor Ciara O’Donnell. “Employers who delay renewing permits, even by a few days, are seeing site visits.”
The Department of Justice defends charters as a last resort when individuals refuse to leave or when commercial carriers decline carriage. It says contracts are periodically retendered to ensure value, but admits prices fluctuate with fuel and security demands.
The September operation followed three earlier charters – two to Georgia and one to Nigeria – that together cost €530,941. In total, 130 people have been deported by charter and 137 by commercial airlines in 2025. Opposition TDs argue the sums would be better spent accelerating asylum decision-making and expanding voluntary-return grants.
Business immigration advisers say the episode underlines the importance of ensuring employees’ residence status is kept up to date. “Once an order issues, GNIB can move very quickly,” notes solicitor Ciara O’Donnell. “Employers who delay renewing permits, even by a few days, are seeing site visits.”
The Department of Justice defends charters as a last resort when individuals refuse to leave or when commercial carriers decline carriage. It says contracts are periodically retendered to ensure value, but admits prices fluctuate with fuel and security demands.
