Ireland is situated in northwestern Europe, occupying the majority of the island of Ireland. It shares its only land border with Northern Ireland, a part of the United Kingdom, to the north. The country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south, and the Irish Sea to the east. Ireland hosts a diverse population of individuals seeking international protection, including asylum-seekers and refugees from Ukraine, Nigeria and Somalia. These individuals primarily reside in urban areas and are accommodated through a system that includes reception centers and other housing arrangements. The asylum application process in Ireland underwent a digital transformation in November 2024, with applicants completing their applications electronically, assisted by staff and interpreters. This initiative aims to streamline the application process and improve efficiency.

Ireland is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, which define the status of refugees and outline the rights afforded to them. The domestic legal framework governing international protection is primarily established under the International Protection Act 2015. This legislation introduced a single procedure for assessing applications for refugee status and subsidiary protection. Asylum applications are submitted in person at the International Protection Office (IPO) in Dublin or at designated locations, depending on the applicant’s circumstances.