Government Approval to Strengthen Migration Legislation and Introduce New Rules on Asylum and Citizenship

The Government has moved to introduce new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland’s migration and asylum system to ensure it is rules-based, efficient and aligned with many EU Member States. These reforms also include a thorough review of family reunification policies developed with Minister of State Colm Brophy.

Key aspects:

• Changes to legislation will ensure that Family Reunification for those granted International Protection status will only be granted in cases where it can be shown they have sufficient resources to support family members.

• Residents of international protection accommodation in employment to make a financial contribution towards their accommodation.

• Additional powers to revoke refugee status where a person is found to be a danger to the security of the state or has been convicted of a serious crime.

• Tightening of citizenship criteria to ensure there is clear guidance on the application of good character requirements and the introduction of a requirement that applicants are self-sufficient.

• Residency requirements for people granted International Protection to rise from three years to five years before they can apply for citizenship.

• An updated policy document will tighten the existing policy on family reunification for most non-European Economic Area (EEA) residents, reduce the effective waiting period for those on General Employment Permits, and will give permission to work for 16-18 years olds.

• International Protection Applicants for citizenship must be self-sufficient and not in receipt of certain social protection payments within the previous two years before an application is made.

These proposed changes to asylum and citizenship legislation, alongside policy measures, are another important step towards ensuring our migration and asylum system is rules-based and efficient.

The changes to the international protection system will ensure that anyone who has been granted asylum here in Ireland is only permitted to avail of family reunification when they are financially self-sufficient and can provide for those they wish to bring here.

Minister Jim O’Callaghan also brought to Government a proposal for residents of international protection accommodation to contribute to their accommodation if they are in employment. The level of contribution will be linked to income levels.

The scheme will be implemented within a planned 12-month period, allowing for the development of systems and resources to assess eligibility, share data securely and collect and process payments.

On this proposal Minister Brophy said “While not all international protection applicants are working, many are, and it makes sense for people who are earning an income and paying tax to also make a contribution to their State accommodation cost. Other EU Member States operate similar systems and, as we work towards the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, it’s important that we are aligned on these matters”.