An email sent to thousands of asylum seekers in Ireland’s international protection centres has sparked intense debate after offering cash incentives to those willing to voluntarily return to their home countries.
Reintegration Grant Boosted Under New Scheme
The leaflet, titled “Are you thinking of returning home?”, informs recipients that for a limited period, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has increased the reintegration grant — a payment designed to help people return home voluntarily if their asylum application fails.
According to the Department of Justice, the offer extends to approximately 35,000 individuals currently going through Ireland’s asylum process.
Financial Offer Increased for Families and Individuals
Under the revised scheme, families will receive €10,000, while individual applicants will be eligible for up to €2,500 if they agree to withdraw their asylum claim and leave Ireland.
Previously, individuals were entitled to €1,200 and families to €2,000 under the existing allowance.
Critics Call Policy a “Coercive” Move
The proposal has been sharply criticised by migrant advocacy groups. The Irish Refugee Council described it as an attempt to “coax” or “lure” people away from Ireland rather than addressing systemic delays and inefficiencies in the asylum process.
Residents Describe Offer as “Bribe”
Several asylum seekers told M10news that the offer felt “infuriating” and “naive”, with some describing it as a “bribe” to leave the country.
Residents of International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centres said the leaflet’s language appeared “threatening”, pointing to a line that assured recipients the government would not “inform authorities in your country” if they accepted the offer.
“The Money Won’t Make Me Go Back”
Among those rejecting the offer is a 30-year-old Somali woman living with her husband and children in an IPAS centre in Dublin. She said the idea of returning was unthinkable.
The woman, who converted from Islam to Christianity to marry her husband, said her family’s home was burned down by people known to her, leaving her with lasting spinal injuries documented in a medical report.
“So we take the money and go back — to what? Is that money worth more than our lives?” she said.
Fears Among Migrants from the US
Another man, aged in his 40s, said he came to Ireland from the United States after the Trump administration intensified deportation measures.
A US citizen of Latino heritage, he described living in fear in Pennsylvania, where threats of people “calling ICE” were common due to his mixed-race marriage.
According to US immigration data, one in five Latinos with no criminal record has been detained by ICE officers in recent years.
Questions Over End Date and Conditions
The Department of Justice has been asked when the increased payment offer will expire and for clarification on the conditions of the voluntary return scheme.
Why Some Might Accept the Offer
Despite the criticism, some residents acknowledged the offer might appeal to a limited group — particularly those who previously studied in the UK or other EU countries but lost their visa status.
For such individuals, Ireland’s proximity and ease of access from Northern Ireland made it an attractive option after their student or work permits expired.
Legal Re-entry a Possible Advantage
Those who take the payment may retain the right to return legally to Ireland or other EU states in the future — an aspect some see as a potential benefit of the scheme.
Government Seeks to Reduce Asylum Numbers
Although the number of asylum seekers arriving in Ireland has almost halved this year, around 1,000 people continue to arrive monthly.
The government has been exploring various measures to reduce numbers, including faster deportations and stricter border controls.
“Not Dumb and Broke” — Nigerian Applicant Speaks
A 27-year-old Nigerian man, who arrived two years ago, said the financial incentive misses the point. He argued that the government’s focus on money ignores the real dangers that force people to flee.
“There was €17,000 in my bank account when I came here,” he said.
“I didn’t come because I’m broke — I came because my life was in danger.”
He said he received threats from paramilitary groups in northern Nigeria, adding, “The money won’t make me go back.”
Minister Defends Move as Cost-Saving
Defending the initiative, Minister Jim O’Callaghan said the scheme would “save the state money” by encouraging early voluntary departures.
He said it costs the government an average of €122,000 to process each asylum claim — including accommodation, healthcare, education, and welfare costs.
Debate Over Ethics and Economics
While officials frame the move as a cost-saving measure, human rights advocates argue it undermines Ireland’s moral and humanitarian obligations.
The Department of Justice maintains that the offer is voluntary, emphasising that it provides “an option, not an ultimatum” for those in the international protection system.
M10News Political Desk | Contact: politics@m10news.com
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