Irish Refugee Protection Programme resettlement and Community Sponsorship Ireland
UNHCR referral only · Official name: Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP); Community Sponsorship Ireland (CSI)
Ireland resettles refugees whom UNHCR has identified as needing resettlement and the Irish Government has accepted. People cannot apply themselves. Over 4,500 refugees have been resettled since the programme began in 2015, according to a page updated in June 2026. The current programme was approved for 2024 to 2027. Under Community Sponsorship Ireland, local groups welcome some of these refugees: the sponsorship guide aims for 25 people a year from 2024 to 2027, with groups supporting a family for 18 months and securing housing for at least 2 years. The Afghan resettlement strand is closed.
Life in Ireland
Finance
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
102
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–40%
Income tax (national)
VAT 23% · social security 4.2%
40% above EUR 44,000 (single); plus USC of 0.5-8% and PRSI. Tax credits apply.
Living
1
Happiness
#13 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
Refugees outside Ireland identified by UNHCR as needing resettlement and accepted by the Irish Government; and Irish community groups that want to sponsor a refugee family.
Eligibility
UNHCR identification and Irish acceptanceRefugee
Beneficiaries live outside Ireland and have been identified by UNHCR, and accepted by the Irish Government, as needing resettlement. Community sponsorship referrals use the same procedures as the government-managed resettlement programme.
Programme period
The current programme was approved for 2024 to 2027, with pledges reviewed and submitted on a 2-year cycle.
Programme figures
- Programme period
- 2024 to 2027
- Resettlement target
- approximately 2,400 people
- Pledges are submitted to the European Commission every 2 years
- Source: National Asylum and Migration Management Strategy
Official wording
The current programme was approved for 2024 to 2027, with resettlement pledges reviewed after 2 years and submitted to the European Commission every 2 years (National Asylum and Migration Management Strategy). The community sponsorship guide refers to approximately 2,400 people through resettlement between 2024 and 2027.
Sponsor groupsSponsor
Sponsor groups must commit to support the refugee family and secure accommodation for set periods.
Sponsor group commitments
- Support for family
- 18 months
- Accommodation
- at least 2 years
- The Open Community is the national support organisation for groups
- Its funding runs from 1 Jul 2024 to no later than 31 Dec 2027
Official wording
Community sponsorship groups commit to support the refugee family for 18 months and to secure accommodation for at least 2 years. A national support organisation, The Open Community, supports groups (funded from 1 Jul 2024 to no later than 31 Dec 2027).
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- 2 documents
- 1 fee
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
Other routes to Ireland
- Visit & tourismShort stay 'C' visit (tourist) visa
- StudyStudent permission (Stamp 2) for full-time degree programmes
- Work permitsCritical Skills Employment Permit
- 3 more routes with Premium
