Ireland is set to update its list of “safe countries” by adding Egypt, Morocco, India, Brazil, and Malawi. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will present this proposal at the upcoming Cabinet meeting on the second of July. As a result, asylum seekers from these countries can expect their international protection applications to be processed within 90 days.
Recent data from IPAS reveals fluctuations in asylum seeker numbers from these countries. Malawi saw a slight increase to 225 applicants, Morocco experienced a significant rise to 370, Egypt’s numbers climbed to 464, and India saw an increase to 198 applicants. Brazil’s figures are currently undisclosed due to revised reporting policies by the Department of Integration.
Designating a country as “safe” does not prevent applicants from seeking international protection; it simply shifts the burden onto them to justify their need for protection. Currently, there are 10 countries designated as safe, including Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and South Africa.