Ireland has announced a series of major reforms to its immigration and asylum policies in response to rapid population growth and increasing pressure on housing and public services. Justice Minister Jim O’Callahan said the country’s population grew by 1.6% last year—seven times the EU average—reaching 5.46 million in April 2024. Net migration has nearly doubled since 2022, with around 72,000 immigrants arriving annually, including workers, family reunifications, and refugees from Ukraine. Asylum applications reached a record 18,651 in 2024, up from 13,276 the previous year. The new measures require employed asylum seekers to contribute 10–40% of their weekly income toward state housing costs and raise the income threshold for family reunification to €44,000. Citizenship eligibility will now require five years of residence instead of three, and those dependent on welfare will be disqualified. The government will also have the power to revoke asylum status for security threats or serious crimes, and stricter rules are being considered for student visas.