The report highlights the organisation’s work during a year marked by rising homelessness, tighter restrictions on people seeking international protection, barriers to integration and preparations for the introduction of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The council said it answered 20,152 calls to its helplines during the year, provided intensive one-to-one support to 3,404 people and reached a further 1,623 through outreach work. It also supported 225 people with employability, assisted 194 young people through casework, awarded education funding to 71 people and delivered nine cultural orientation sessions for newly arrived families.

Chief executive Nick Henderson said: “2025 was a year of significant change and concern for people seeking international protection and refugees in Ireland as major policy changes introduced new challenges for many. Throughout it all, we remained a trusted source of information, legal advice, and practical support. From helping people reunite with their families and access employment to supporting education and advocating for humane and fair international protection laws, we engaged with nearly 25,000 people through 20,000 calls answered, one-to-one support provided to 3,400 people, and outreach that reached a further 1,600 people.

“We launch this report just over a month after Ireland started implementing a new asylum system. A fair and effective protection system depends on people understanding and accessing their rights. It is essential that applicants, communities and the organisations supporting them receive clear, timely and accessible information. This enables organisations, communities, and public bodies are also better able to support people to navigate the complex process and integrate.

“While timely international protection decisions are important, we are concerned when fast-tracking applications and requiring people, including families with status, to leave State-provided accommodation are presented as solutions to homelessness. We are also extremely concerned by the new family reunification laws, which will break families apart. These policies undermine the work of local communities, organisations and public bodies working every day to support integration.”