How many people are recognised as refugees in Ireland and are we different to other European countries? Are all asylum seekers recognised as refugees? How long does it take for an asylum claim to be considered?

How many people are recognised as refugees in Ireland and are we different to other European countries? Are all asylum seekers recognised as refugees? How long does it take for an asylum claim to be considered? 

Recognition rates compared: 

• In 2022, 35% of decisions made in Ireland resulted in a person being given refugee or subsidiary protection.15  As a comparison, the average EU recognition rate across all member states for 2021 was 34%.16  The EU recognition rate for the month of November 2022 (most recent monthly statistics available from the EU Asylum Agency) was 39% in November.   

Application rates compared:  

• In 2021 Ireland received 0.4% of the EU’s total asylum applications. For the month of November 2022, Ireland received 0.1% of the EU’s total asylum applications.