A total of 1,106 asylum applications have been processed across Ireland since June 12, when new EU-wide laws were enacted.

The screening of the majority of applicants -- 756 cases -- was already completed by August 4, highlighting the accelerated processing times that the pact is intended to create.

The incorporation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact into Irish law has resulted in three categories, under which these 756 cases were processed:

The majority of applicants -- almost 200 people -- used the so-called border procedure, while a slightly lower number -- 187 people -- made use of the standard procedure; 166 cases meanwhile were allocated the accelerated procedure.

Of the total applications, 122 cases were deemed inadmissible for asylum; this number, however, includes those who were found to already have refugee status in another EU state as well as individuals reapplying for asylum without producing new evidence.

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Border procedure and accelerated procedure

The border procedure method is an accelerated process for people who already meet the asylum criteria set out under the EU asylum framework. This applies to nationalities and origins where persecution is proven. They are basically processed under a similar scheme to the one that was in effect prior to June 12, and can roam freely in Ireland during the processing of their case.

The accelerated procedure is similar in terms of timeline and structure, though there are more checks and scrutiny of background involved. Applicants admitted under this scheme are also allowed to move freely within the country. They have slightly fewer avenues for recourse if their case is rejected.

The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration reported that the average processing times for both the accelerated and border procedures since June 12 were 29 days -- considerably faster than the maximum timeframe of three months for these two approaches.

Standard procedure

Those under the standard procedure, however, are housed at designated border or transit zones during the processing of their asylum claim; they are not considered to have entered "the national territory" while their applications are being examined, allowing for fewer EU protections to govern their procedure.

If no first-instance decision is issued on any standard procedure case within six months, a regular EU asylum procedure will be launched.

The standard procedure applies to anyone who cannot qualify for the border procedure nor the accelerated procedure.

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Asylum and Migration Management Regulation

A fourth category outside these three procedures is the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR), which replaces the EU's Dublin Regulation under which any asylum case is examined for potentially qualifying for international protection in another EU member state.

Typically, these involve cases where an applicant had already lodged an asylum application in another EU country before arriving in Ireland.

Out of all the cases processed from June 12 to August 4, a total of 85 applicants were examined under the AMMR.

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Fall in asylum applications

The EU Migration and Asylum Pact was enacted on June 12 and is still being rolled out across the bloc, with Ireland being one of the first member states to adopt much of the new system on a trial basis. 

To incorporate the new legislation, Ireland codified its stipulations into the International Protection Act, which was passed just before the new EU guidelines were launched.

According to Irish authorities, asylum applications have fallen by about 20 percent since the beginning of the year, compared to the same period in 2025.

Since the EU pact came into effect in June, fewer people have been found to arrive in the Irish Republic.

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