Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Ireland

Politician(s) lobbied: Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice

Intent: The intended result was that the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration would directly engage with asylum seekers on the ground to listen and hear their concerns and lived experience of the system; and facilitate representation by asylum-seeker-led groups in stakeholder forums and consultations. Additionally, that durable solutions would be identified for legacy cases and non-returnable migrants in the IPAS system.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown

Intent: The intended result was to positively inform Oireachtas debates through the identification of amendments in areas including, but not limited to: vulnerable applicants and associated safeguards; age-disputed minors; legal representation; alternatives to detention; and family reunification.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice; Oonagh McPhillips (Secretary General), Department of Justice; David Gilbride (Assistant Secretary), Department of Justice; Andrew Munro (Assistant Secretary), Department of Justice; Richard Dixon (Director), Department of Justice; George Sinclair (Registrar , International Protection Appeals Tribunal), International Protection Appeals Tribunal; Hilkka Becker (Chairperson , International Protection Appeals Tribunal), International Protection Appeals Tribunal; Colm Brophy (Minister of State), Department of Justice; John Moran (Mayor of Limerick), Limerick City and County Council; David Delaney (Director), Department of Justice; Matt Carthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paula Butterly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: The intended result was a contribution to efforts to promote integration and encounter and to build an open, inclusive and dynamic Irish society in which all who reside in the country are valued and treated equally, irrespective of their colour, creed or culture.

Methods: Letter

Politician(s) lobbied: Richard Dixon (Director), Department of Justice

Intent: JRS Ireland was seeking clarity regarding any new processes that may be applied to age-disputed-minors, as it has a long standing engagement with State agencies on ensuring appropriate procedural safeguards are in place in the age assessment of age-disputed-minors.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice; Colm Brophy (Minister of State), Department of Justice; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Social Protection

Intent: The intended result was to highlight the significant challenges and barriers faced by persons with disabilities in IPAS accommodation and seek action on proposed recommendations to address these issues.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Matt Carthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Tom Brabazon (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paula Butterly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Catherine Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Gary Gannon (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Alan Kelly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mark Ward (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: Along with other coalition member organisations, JRS Ireland sought to share its analysis of the General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025 and highlight issues of concern for attention by the Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

Methods: Submission

Politician(s) lobbied: Andrew Munro (Assistant Secretary), Department of Justice; David Delaney (Director), Department of Justice

Intent: JRS Ireland, with other members of civil society, made policy recommendation in an effort to ensure the new Irish Protection Process would be fair, effective and compliant with law and best practice.

Methods: Submission

Politician(s) lobbied: Colm Brophy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jim O'Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Andrew Munro (Assistant Secretary), Department of Justice

Intent: JRS Ireland, as part of a coalition of NGOs, sought the drafting and publication of a Department of Justice plan of engagement with civil society in relation to implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Methods: Letter

Politician(s) lobbied: David Delaney (Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Intent: JRS Ireland sought to positively inform the departmental planning process in relation to the provision of accommodation for International Protection Applicants.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: David Delaney (Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Intent: JRS Ireland sought to offer solutions to positively inform and improve the Irish Government's response to the severe accommodation shortages in the IPAS system; and to ensure all International Protection Applicants are accommodated and can live with basic dignity.

Methods: Email