Nearly 4,500 people deported from State last year

There was a 17 per cent increase in the number of people deported from the State last year, figures from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) show.

Nearly 4,446 people were deported in 2016, including 3,951 non-EU nationals who were refused entry into the State at ports of entry and were returned to the place from where they had come.

In addition, 428 failed asylum seekers and illegal migrants were deported from the Republic and 67 EU nationals were returned to their countries of origin on foot of an EU Removal Order.

Separately, 42 asylum seekers were transferred to the EU member state in which they first applied for asylum.

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In 2015, 3,790 people were deported or removed from the State, according to the service.

Publishing the annual review of immigration-related activity in the State for 2016, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said applications for visas, residence and citizenship received by the service increased once again.

Last year, it received 124,000 entry visa applications, up from 115,000 in 2015.

Some 10,044 people became Irish citizens in 2016, down from 13,500 in 2015.

Ms Fitzgerald said the Ireland continued to be an attractive destination for migrants to come to work, study and settle here.

During 2016 about 14 million immigration checks were carried out at Dublin Airport with about 4,000 people refused leave to land at ports of entry last year.

Ms Fitzgerald said modernisation of immigration services was a priority. Last year responsibility for immigration registrations in Dublin transferred from the Garda National Immigration Bureau to INIS.

An online appointment system for immigration registration in Dublin is also now in place.

Reform

The Immigrant Council of Ireland said while efforts by the Tánaiste to improve the immigration system were welcome, greater reform was urgently needed.

Katie Mannion, solicitor with the council, said: “Every day in the immigrant council we meet people struggling to navigate an often complex and inconsistent immigration system.

“Simple refinements such as improving clarity regarding criteria for gaining the different stages of residents’ permissions; modernising immigration rules to reflect 2017 lifestyles for example recognising family types, working patterns, globalisation and providing a right to appeal decisions would contribute towards a more effective and efficient system.”

Ms Fitzgerald said the introduction of a single application procedure for people seeking protection introduced last year would help to streamline the process and help reduce the time spent in the direct provision system.

“The progress in improving customer service made in 2016, such as the introduction of online systems for appointments for customers, will continue this year. Further measures will also be introduced to further enhance the protection and security of our borders.”