Ireland Tightens Immigration Rules 'Population Growth'

Ireland introduced measures to tighten its immigration rules on Wednesday that the justice minister said were aimed at slowing a "worryingly" high rate of population growth amid numbers seeking asylum that were too high. 

Dublin has been gradually reforming its procedures following a sharp rise in immigration. The new measures included obliging asylum seekers who are employed to contribute to state accommodation costs



and a toughening of criteria around family reunifications and citizenship applications for refugees.

Net migration to Ireland has almost doubled since 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels to an average of 72,000 a year. 

The finance ministry has attributed the rise to "unprecedented demand" for employment permits and associated family reunification, as well as a large number of Ukrainian refugees.