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People who have no legal status in Ireland, or whose application for international protection has been either withdrawn or refused, can already access “reintegration assistance” under the voluntary return programme.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

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.”

Colm Brophy, minister of state for migration, said: “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.”

The government says 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.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “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. It will be limited to people who have applied before 28 September 2025 so it is not taken advantage of.

“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.”