IPO to Prioritise Asylum Applications from Nigeria and Jordan, Says McEntee
The International Protection Office (IPO) is set to prioritise asylum applications from Nigeria and Jordan as part of a new initiative aimed at speeding up processing times. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee announced that these two countries, which had the highest number of applicants in the past three months, will now receive expedited processing.
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IPO Expands Accelerated Processing to Asylum Applications from Nigeria and Jordan in Bid to Boost Efficiency
This move follows an accelerated processing measure introduced in April, which prioritised applications from Nigeria—the country with the highest volume of applicants in the previous quarter. Jordan has seen a significant increase in applications, with 881 received in the second quarter of 2024 compared to just 79 in the first half of 2023. The decision to include Jordan in the accelerated process is expected to further streamline application processing.
The IPO’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to align with the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, aiming to enhance efficiency and speed. Minister McEntee highlighted that there has been a 53% drop in Nigerian applications since April’s changes, and expanding the accelerated process to Jordan will build on this progress.
The IPO has also increased staff and opened a new processing center at Citywest, aiming to manage the growing volume of applications more effectively. The Department of Justice reported a 90% increase in deportation orders this year, reflecting the intensified efforts to handle asylum cases promptly.
