What to expect after you apply for international protection.
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Assessment of applications
If you have been granted Refugee Status or Subsidiary Protection by another EU Member State OR you are recognised as a refugee and/or can avail of sufficient protection, including benefiting from the principle of non-refoulement, in another (non-EU Member State) country that will readmit you, You are not entitled to apply for protection under Sec. 21 of the IPA 2015.
If your application for International Protection is deemed inadmissible, you will receive a report containing the reasons for this recommendation.
You may appeal the recommendation of the International Protection Officer to the IPAT within ten working days. The decision of the IPAT will be made without an oral hearing.
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Personal Interview
The Personal Interview is conducted by an International Protection Officer, in a language that you can communicate in and understand.
Before the interview
- You may have to wait some time before you are called for your personal interview.
- You may request an interpreter.
- You may request a male or female interviewer.
During the interview
- You will explain the reasons for your International Protection Application, including why you left your country of origin/habitual residence and why you are afraid to return.
- The case worker will write down information you give. You may check that this information is accurate, and you can ask that it be corrected or provide more details.
Supporting documents that are relevant to your application should be submitted to the IPO as soon as possible. These documents can be submitted any time before the Section 39 Report.
If you cannot attend your interview, you must inform the IPO as soon as possible. You must provide proof of the reason.
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Decision-making
First-instance Recommendation and Decision:
When the IPO has assessed your application, it will send a recommendation to you and to the Ministerial Decisions Unit (MDU). This will state one of the following:
- You should be granted a Refugee declaration
- You should not be granted a Refugee declaration, but should be granted a Subsidiary Protection declaration
- You should not be granted a Refugee declaration or a Subsidiary Protection declaration
MDU, on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, will issue a decision based on this recommendation.
Option to Appeal IPO Recommendation:
You may make an appeal of a recommendation with IPAT. If the IPO did not recommend that you get a Refugee or Subsidiary Protection declaration and you did not appeal, the MDU will issue your refusal decision. If MDU finalises a refusal, a deportation order may be issued. You cannot appeal decision of MDU.
Post-appeal:
If the IPO did not recommend that you get a Refugee or Subsidiary Protection declaration and your appeal was unsuccessful, your application will be directed to Permission to Remain Review Unit (PTRR). You must inform the IPO of any change in your circumstances that could be relevant to the decision to grant or refuse you Permission to Remain. Once PTRR has assessed your application, MDU will issue your decision based on the recommendation from PTRR.
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Other possible outcomes
Withdrawal of your application
You can withdraw your application before the IPO makes its recommendation to the Minister. Your application can also be withdrawn if it is believed that you are not cooperating.
Voluntary Return
If you do not have or receive permission to remain in Ireland, you may get help returning to your home country or another country where you can legally stay.
