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Updated to 21 November 2025 (Act No. 11 of 2025 and S.I. No. 550 of 2025)

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Refugee Act 1996
No. 17 of 1996

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
 Commencement Information
S. 1 29 August 1997 Refugee Act 1996 (Sections 1, 2, 5, 22 and 25) (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 359 of 1997), art. 2
S. 2 29 August 1997 Refugee Act 1996 (Sections 1, 2, 5, 22 and 25) (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 359 of 1997), art. 2
Ss. 3, 4 20 November 2000 Refugee Act 1996 (Commencement) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 365 of 2000), art. 2
S. 5 29 August 1997 Refugee Act 1996 (Sections 1, 2, 5, 22 and 25) (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 359 of 1997), art. 2
S. 6 20 January 2000 Refugee Act 1996 (Section 6 and First Schedule) (Commencement) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 8 of 2000), art. 2
Ss. 7 - 13 20 November 2000 Refugee Act 1996 (Commencement) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 365 of 2000), art. 2
S. 14 4 October 2000 Refugee Act 1996 (Sections 14 and 15 and Second Schedule) (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 308 of 2000), art. 2
S. 15 4 October 2000 Refugee Act 1996 (Sections 14 and 15 and Second Schedule) (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 308 of 2000), art. 2
Ss. 16 - 21 20 November 2000 Refugee Act 1996 (Commencement) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 365 of 2000), art. 2
S. 22 29 August 1997 Refugee Act 1996 (Sections 1, 2, 5, 22 and 25) (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 359 of 1997), art. 2
S. 23 26 October 2000 Refugee Act 1996 (Section 23) (Commencement) (No. 3) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 341 of 2000), art. 2
S. 24 20 November 2000 Refugee Act 1996 (Commencement) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 365 of 2000), art. 2
S. 24(1) for the purpose of regulation 14(2) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 1956(S.I. No. 216 of 1956) 1 October 1996 Refugee Act 1996 (Section 24(1)) (Commencement) Order 1996 (S.I. No. 290 of 1996), art. 2
S. 25 29 August 1997 Refugee Act 1996 (Sections 1, 2, 5, 22 and 25) (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 359 of 1997), art. 2
Ss. 26 - 30 20 November 2000 Refugee Act 1996 (Commencement) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 365 of 2000), art. 2
Sch. 1  20 January 2000 Refugee Act 1996 (Section 6 and First Schedule) (Commencement) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 8 of 2000), art. 2
Sch. 2 4 October 2000  Refugee Act 1996 (Sections 14 and 15 and Second Schedule) (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 308 of 2000), art. 2

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Repealed 66/2015, ss. 1(2), (3), 6(1), 68-71
Amended - “Child and Family Agency” substituted for “Health Service Executive” 40/2013, ss. 1(2), 97, sch. 2 pt. 8
Appl. ext. with mods. S.I. No. 525 of 2014, regs. 9-11
Trans. of cert. functns. under. 40/2013, ss. 1(2), 6, 82, sch. 1
  S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
  42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 4, 58, 59 (1) (2) (3), sch. 3
S. 1 amended S.I. No. 426 of 2013, regs. 1(2), 33
  S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 3
S. 1 (1) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (a) (2)
S. 2(c) par. substit. 26/2003, ss. 7 (a), 13 (2)
S. 2(d), (e) pars. deleted 26/2003, ss. 7 (a), 13 (2)
S. 3(2)(c) amended 43/2014, ss. 1(3), 68, sch. 4
S. 5 application not affected 26/2003, ss. 5 (1), 13 (2)
S. 7A inserted 22/1999, s.11 (b) (2)
S. 7A(4)(a) amended 26/2003, ss. 7 (b) (i) , 13 (2)
S. 7A sch. 1 amended 26/2003, ss. 7 (b) (ii) , 13 (2)
S. 7A sch. 3 (gg) inserted 26/2003, ss. 7 (b) (iii) , 13 (2)
S. 8 appl. ext. S.I. No. 525 of 2014, regs. 9-11 & sch. 3
S. 8, saving for. 26/2003, ss. 2 (9), 13 (2)
S. 8(1)(c), substit. 22/1999, s.11 (1) (c) (i) (2)
S. 8(1)(a) (c) appl. 26/2005, ss. 198 (4) (a) (ii), 364 (1)
S. 8(2), substituted 22/1999, s.11 (1) (c) (ii) (2)
S. 8(3), substituted 22/1999, s.11 (c) (iii) (2)
S. 8(4), substituted 22/1999, s.11 (1) (c) (iv) (2)
S. 8(5)(a) amended 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 75, sch. 6, pt. 15
S. 8(5)(a), substit. 22/1999, s.11 (1) (c) (v) (2)
S. 8(5)(b), substit. 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 75, sch. 6, pt. 15
S. 8(5)(c) amended 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 75, sch. 6, pt. 15
S. 8(5)(d), deleted 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 75, sch. 6, pt. 15
S. 9, saving for. 26/2003, ss. 2 (9), 13 (2)
S. 9(2)(a) (b), subsecs. substit. 26/2003, ss. 7 (c) (i), 13 (2)
S. 9(3), substituted 22/1999, s. 11 (1) (d) (i) (2)
S. 9(3)(c), substit. 1/2004, s. 16 (4)
S. 9(4)(b) deemed incompatible with Article 40.3 of the Constitution N.H.V v Minister for Justice and Equality [2017] IESC 82
S. 9(4) appl. w. mods S.I. No. 525 of 2014, reg. 7(2)
S. 9(4A) appl. w. mods S.I. No. 525 of 2014, reg. 7(2)
S. 9(4A), subsec. inserted 29/2000, ss. 9 (a), 13 (2)
S. 9(4A), substituted 26/2003, ss. 7 (c) (ii) , 13 (2)
S. 9(5), (6) appl. w. mods S.I. No. 525 of 2014, reg. 7(2)
S. 9(5) (6), subsecs. substit. 26/2003, ss. 7 (c) (iii) , 13 (2)
S. 9(7) appl. w. mods S.I. No. 525 of 2014, reg. 7(2)
S. 9(7) amended 26/2003, ss. 7 (c) (iv) , 13 (2)
S. 9(8)(d) amended 26/2003, ss. 7 (c) (v) , 13 (2)
S. 9(10)(b)(i) amended 26/2003, ss. 7 (c) (vi) , 13 (2)
S. 9(12)(c), substit. 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 75, sch. 6, pt. 15
S. 9(14)(a) amended 26/2003, ss. 7 (c) (vii) , 13 (2)
S. 9(15), substituted 22/1999, s.11 (1) (d) (ii) (2)
S. 9A S.I. No. 525 of 2014, reg. 7(2)
S. 9A, inserted 22/1999, s.11 (1) (e) (2)
S. 9A, s. 26/2003, ss. 7 (d) , 13 (2)
S. 9A(2)(b), substit. 42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 75, sch. 6, pt. 15
S. 10 amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (f) (2)
S. 11 appl. ext. S.I. No. 525 of 2014, regs. 10(2), (5), sch. 3
S. 11(1), substituted 22/1999, s.11 (1) (g) (i) (2)
  26/2003, ss. 7 (e) (i) , 13 (2)
S. 11(2) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (g) (ii) (2)
  S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 4(a)
S. 11(2), substituted 26/2003, ss. 7 (e) (ii) , 13 (2)
S. 11(2A) inserted S.I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 4(b)
S. 11(2B) inserted S.I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 4(b)
S. 11(3) amended 22/1999, s. 11(1)(g)(iii), (2)
S. 11(3), substituted 26/2003, ss. 7(e)(iii), 13(2)
S. 11(4), non applic. of 26/2003, ss. 8(1), 13(2)
S. 11(6) amended 22/1999, s. 11(1)(g)(iv), (2)
S. 11(6) (7), subsecs. deleted 26/2003, ss. 7(e)(iv), 13(2)
S. 11(8) amended 22/1999, s. 11(1)(g)(v), (2)
S. 11(8)(e), (f) pars. substit. 26/2003, ss. 7(e)(v), 13(2)
S. 11(8)(g) par. inserted 26/2003, ss. 7(e)(v), 13(2)
S. 11(9), subsec. inserted 22/1999, s. 11 (1)(g)(vi), (2)
S. 11(9), substituted 26/2003, ss. 7(e)(vi) , 13(2)
S. 11(10), (11), (12) inserted 26/2003, ss. 7(e)(vi) , 13(2)
Ss. 11A, 11B, 11C, new subsecs. inserted 26/2003, ss. 7(f), 13(2)
S. 12, s. 26/2003, ss. 7(g), 13(2)
S. 12(1), substituted 22/1999, s. 11(1)(h)(i), (2)
S. 12(2), (3) deleted 22/1999, s. 11(1)(h)(i), (2)
S. 12(4) substituted S.I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 5(a)
S. 12(5), substituted 22/1999, s. 11(1)(h)(ii), (2)
S. 12(5) amended S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 5(b)
S. 13, s. 26/2003, ss. 7(h) , 13(2)
S. 13 appl. with mods. S.I. No. 525 of 2014, regs. 10(5)(b)
S. 13(1) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (i) (i) (2)
S. 13(2) (3), subsecs. substit. 22/1999, s.11 (1) (i) (ii) (2)
S. 13(3)(c) amended 29/2000, ss. 9 (b), 13 (2)
S. 13(12) inserted S.I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 6
S. 13(13) inserted S.I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 6
S. 15, s. 22/1999, s.11 (1) (j) (2)
S. 16(1) subsection substituted 26/2003, ss. 7 (i) (i) - (iv) , 13 (2)
S. 16(1)-(12) (16) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (k) (i) (2)
S. 16(2) subsection substituted 26/2003, ss. 7 (i) (i) - (iv) , 13 (2)
S. 16(2A) subsection inserted 22/1999, s.11 (1) (k) (ii) (2)
S. 16(2A) subsection substituted 26/2003, ss. 7 (i) (i) - (iv) , 13 (2)
S. 16(2B) subsection inserted 26/2003, ss. 7 (i) (i) - (iv) , 13 (2)
S. 16(3) subsection substituted 26/2003, ss. 7 (i) (i) - (iv) , 13 (2)
S. 16(3) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (k) (iii) (2)
  29/2000, ss. 9 (c), 13 (2)
S. 16(4) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (k) (iv) (2)
S. 16(5) amended 26/2003, ss. 7 (i) (v) , 13 (2)
S. 16(8) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (k) (v) (2)
S. 16(9), substituted 26/2003, ss. 7 (i) (vi) , 13 (2)
S. 16(11)(d) substituted S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 7
S. 16(16)(b) amended 26/2003, ss. 7 (i) (vii) , 13 (2)
S. 16(16A), subsec. inserted 26/2003, ss. 7 (i) (viii) , 13 (2)
S. 16(17), substituted 22/1999, s.11 (1) (k) (vi) (2)
S. 16(17)(b) amended 26/2003, ss. 7 (i) (ix) , 13 (2)
S. 16(18), subsec. inserted 26/2003, ss. 7 (i) (x) , 13 (2)
S. 17, saver for. 7/2003, s.2 (10) (a)
S. 17 appl. 26/2005, ss. 198 (4), 364 (1)
S. 17(1) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (l) (i) (2)
S. 17(1A), subsec. inserted 26/2003, ss. 7 (j) , 13 (2)
S. 17(5) amended S.I. No. 137 of 2015, regs. 1(2), 6(a)
S. 17(5) substituted S.I. No. 426 of 2013, regs. 1(2), 34(a)
S. 17(5)(c), substit. 22/1999, s.11 (1) (l) (ii) (2)
S. 17(5A), (5B) inserted S.I. No. 137 of 2015, regs. 1(2), 6(b)
S. 17(7) substituted S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 8(a)
S. 17(7A) inserted S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 8(b)
S. 17(7B) inserted S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 8(b)
S. 17(7C) inserted S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 8(b)
S. 17(7C) amended S.I. No. 426 of 2013, regs. 1(2), 34(b)
S. 17(7D) inserted S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 8(b)
S. 17(7E) inserted S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 8(b)
S. 17(7E) amended S.I. No. 426 of 2013, regs. 1(2), 34(c)(i)
S. 17(7E)(b) amended S.I. No. 137 of 2015, regs. 1(2), 6(c)
  S.I. No. 426 of 2013, regs. 1(2), 34(c)(ii)
S. 17(7F) inserted S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 8(b)
S. 17(7G) inserted S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 8(b)
S. 17(7H) inserted S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 8(b)
S. 17(7H) substituted S.I. No. 426 of 2013, regs. 1(2), 34(d)
S. 17(8) deleted 22/1999, s.11 (1)(l)(iii)(2)
S. 18, saver for. 7/2003, s.2 (10) (b)
S. 18 appl. 26/2005, ss. 198 (4), 364 (1)
S. 18(3)(a) amended 24/2010, ss. 1(2), 170, schedule, pt. 5, item 16
S. 19(1) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (m) (2)
S. 19(2), substituted 26/2003, ss. 7 (k) (i) , 13 (2)
S. 19(4A), subsec. inserted 26/2003, ss. 7 (k) (ii) , 13 (2)
S. 20(2)-(5) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (n) (i) (2)
S. 20(2) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (n) (ii) (2)
S. 21(1)(h) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (o) (i) (2)
S. 21(3) (4) (6) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (o) (ii) (2)
S. 22, s. 26/2003, ss. 7 (l) , 13 (2)
S. 22(2)(c) (d) (h) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (p) (i) (ii) (iii) (2)
S. 22(4), substituted 22/1999, s.11 (1) (p) (iv) (2)
S. 22(5) substituted S. I. No. 51 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 9
S. 22(9), substituted 22/1999, s.11 (1) (p) (v) (2)
S. 23(b) amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (q) (2)
S. 24, saver for. 7/2003, s.2 (10) (b)
S. 24, saving for. 26/2003, ss. 2 (9), 13 (2).
S. 24 appl. 26/2005, ss. 198 (4), 364 (1)
S. 24(7), subsec. inserted 26/2003, ss. 7 (m) , 13 (2)
S. 28 amended 22/1999, s.11 (1) (r) (2)
S. 28A, inserted 26/2003, ss. 7 (n) , 13 (2)
Sch. 1 substituted 22/1999, s. 11 (1) (s) (2)
Sch. 1 par. 1 substit. 33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61 (1), 63, sch. 2, pt. 1
Sch. 1 par 7 delegation of ministerial powers ceased 4 July 2006 with transitional provisions 18/2005, ss. 2(1), 14, 15
Sch. 1 par. 7 amended 33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61 (1), 63, sch. 2, pt. 1
Sch. 1, pars. 10, 11 inserted 26/2003, ss. 7 (o) , 13 (2)
Sch. 2 sch. substit. 22/1999, s.11 (1) (t) (2)
Sch. 2, 1 amended 29/2000, ss. 9 (d) (i), 13 (2)
Sch. 2, 2, substit. 29/2000, ss. 9 (d) (ii), 13 (2)
Sch. 2, 2 (b), sub substit. 33/2004, ss. 3, 4, 61 (1), 63, sch. 2, pt. 1
Sch. 2, 5, substit. 29/2000, ss. 9 (d) (iii), 13 (2)
Sch. 2, 8, substit. 26/2003, ss. 7 (p) (i) , 13 (2)
Sch. 2, 13, pars. substit. 26/2003, ss. 7 (p) (ii) , 13 (2)
Sch. 2, pars. 14-20 inserted 26/2003, ss. 7 (p) (ii) , 13 (2)
Sch. 4, Art. 15(12) references to personal data construed 7/2018, ss. 1(3), 165

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 1 Refugee Act 1996 (Travel Document) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 347 of 2000)
  Refugee Act 1996 (Application Form) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 345 of 2000)
S. 4 Refugee Act 1996 (Travel Document and Fee) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 404 of 2011)
S. 4(3) Refugee Act 1996 (Travel Document) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 347 of 2000)
S. 8(4) Refugee Act 1996 (Application Form) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 345 of 2000)
S. 9 Refugee Act 1996 (Places and Conditions of Detention) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 344 of 2000)
S. 12(4)(a) Refugee Act 1996 (Safe Countries of Origin) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 714 of 2004)
  Refugee Act 1996 (Safe Countries of Origin) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 422 of 2003)
S. 14 Refugee Act 1996 (Establishment Day) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 309 of 2000)
S. 18 Refugee Act 1996 (Travel Document and Fee) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 404 of 2011)
S. 22 Refugee Act (Section 22) (Amendment) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 500 of 2004)
  Refugee Act 1996 (Section 22) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 423 of 2003)
  Dublin Convention (Implementation) Order 2000 (S.I. No. 343 of 2000)
  Dublin Convention (Implementation) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 360 of 1997)
S. 22(6)(a) Refugee Act 1996 (Section 22(6) (a) ) (Designated Countries) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 376 of 1997)
S. 23 Refugee Act 1996 (Asylum Procedures) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 52 of 2011)
  Refugee Act 1996 (Appeals) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 424 of 2003)
  Refugee Act 1996 (Appeals) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 571 of 2002)
  Refugee Act 1996 (Temporary Residence Certificate) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 426 of 2002)
  Refugee Act 1996 (Transitional) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 348 of 2000)
  Refugee Act 1996 (Temporary Residence Certificate) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 346 of 2000)
  Refugee Act 1996 (Appeals) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 342 of 2000)
S. 24 Refugee Act 1996 (Travel Document and Fee) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 404 of 2011)
S. 24(5) Refugee Act 1996 (Travel Document) Regulations 2000 (S.I. No. 347 of 2000)