Asylum seekers in Ireland will be able to avail of a pilot programme aimed at allowing them to return to their home countries if they want to.
The Minister for Justice today announced that his Department and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) are to conduct a voluntary assisted return programme for asylum seekers and irregular migrants in Ireland.
Mr O’Donoghue said the project will run for one year and will be specifically tailored for the two largest asylum seeker communities in the State, Nigerian and Romanian nationals.
According to the Minister: "Voluntary return takes account of the individual’s decision and allows him/her to prepare for return and reintegration, while avoiding the stigma of deportation."
The IOM has already implemented a number of successful return programmes including the settlement and voluntary return of Kosovar refugees, and return programmes for students and scholarship holders.
