DUBLIN, Ireland: The Department of Justice believes it would require at least 15 million euros next year to fight legal challenges from failed asylum seekers and those facing deportation.

In internal discussions, the International Protection Office (IPO) said it expected "exceptionally high levels of litigation" as it accelerated the processing of applications for refugee status.

The IPO said that as the negative decisions and deportations rose, it would inevitably lead to a surge in judicial reviews.

The office said it was essential to remove failed asylum seekers more quickly so they do not build up additional rights. It said this would make deportations easier, cut accommodation costs, and discourage people from coming to Ireland.

The submission said that the faster a final decision is made on an asylum application, the easier it is to carry out a removal. It also warned that long processing times may encourage more people to apply.

Pre-budget papers said an expected rise in refusals would affect the whole asylum system, including the appeals body IPAT and the courts.

In an email to staff, Chief International Protection Officer Richard Dixon said that without enough funding, the asylum system would struggle to handle applications. He warned that this would increase costs for accommodation, social welfare, and other supports, and would raise the risk of judicial reviews and legal expenses. He added that cuts in capacity could damage public confidence in the immigration system.

Dixon warned that reducing the IPO budget would lead to fewer decisions, fewer deportation orders, and fewer removals. He also said that delays in modernizing the application system would increase the cost of processing each case.

A detailed pre-budget submission said the number of decisions has more than doubled over the past three years, requiring expansion across the system, including deportations, appeals, and legal services. It noted that a 5.8 million-euro funding boost given in 2023 was not repeated and said this core funding should be restored for 2025 and 2026.

The submission also said the EU Migration Pact will set strict deadlines, meaning more staff will be needed to clear backlogs. It warned that failing to invest in staff, technology, and infrastructure would have financial and reputational consequences for the State.

Responding to questions, a Department of Justice spokesman said they should make decisions on asylum applications as quickly as possible. This allows those entitled to protection to rebuild their lives, while ensuring faster decisions for those who do not qualify.

He said the EU Migration Pact will be fully implemented next year, with a 50 percent budget increase to speed up processing, 7.5 million euros for voluntary returns and deportations, and higher pay funding to recruit additional staff.