THE AUTHORITIES have deported 156 foreign nationals to their countries of origin so far this year – almost as many as were expelled in the whole of 2008.
Figures compiled by the Department of Justice show that 602 deportation orders have been issued so far this year, with 156 people being flown to their country of origin by the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Most of the deportees were failed asylum applicants.
The figures suggest a significant increase on last year, when 776 deportation orders were signed and 162 were effected.
A further 145 foreigners have been transferred to other European states this year under the so-called Dublin II regulation, which states that asylum must be sought in the applicant’s first EU country of arrival.
Of those who have been deported this year, Nigerian nationals (99) account for a majority, followed by Georgians (10), South Africans and Chinese (eight each) and Brazilians (six).
Commenting on the increase, a source said the deportation rate had been rising across Europe and the Irish figures reflected that trend. There was additional pressure to deport failed asylum seekers given the cost to the State of supporting them here.
Some six deportation charter flights have taken place since December – four to Nigeria and two to Georgia. Each flight carried up to 55 deportees.
Last year, the cost of deportations and Dublin II transfers was €1,074,179.
Some deportations are carried out jointly with other EU member states to maximise the use of aircraft chartered for deportations to countries into which there are few direct commercial flights. The multinational deportations are usually organised by the EU border security agency Frontex.
Separate figures, meanwhile, show that 261 foreign nationals have left Ireland and returned to their country of origin so far this year under a voluntary return programme run by the International Organisation for Migration.
Funded by the Department of Justice, the scheme is open to asylum seekers and undocumented migrants from outside the European Economic Area who wish to return home but lack the means. Successful applicants are provided with travel costs and reintegration assistance.
Of the 261 migrants who have availed of it so far this year, the largest national groups were Brazilians (114), Moldovans (47), Nigerians (24) and Georgians (14).
The number of people seeking asylum here has been in decline for a number of years. In 2008, 3,866 applications were lodged, a 3 per cent reduction on the previous year and a dramatic fall from a peak of more than 11,500 in 2002.
As of mid-July, there were just under 6,800 people living in 56 asylum seeker accommodation centres across the country. Under “direct provision”, asylum seekers are given accommodation, meals and a weekly allowance of € 19.10 but are precluded from paid work.
The top countries of origin of new asylum applicants in the first six months of this year were Nigeria (23 per cent), Pakistan (10 per cent), China (7 per cent), the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe (both 4 per cent).
