Our Voices, Our Lives - The Irish Refugee Advisory Board Consultation Report
Our Voices, Our Lives - The Irish Refugee Advisory Board Consultation Report
The Irish Refugee Advisory Board and UNHCR are delighted to announce the publication of the consultation report ‘Our Voices, Our Lives - Protection, Integration and Ireland’s asylum system.’ The consultation, which took place in April 2026, was facilitated by UNHCR and the Irish Refugee Advisory Board, a refugee led group working to ensure voices of refugees are heard in policy decisions.
The Future of Ireland’s Asylum System
The Refugee Advisory Board focused on the most pressing issues for refugees in Ireland: navigating the protection system, wellbeing, integration, family reunification and citizenship. While the faster processing times under the International Protection Act 2026 were welcomed, the consultation highlighted areas of concern, including increased barriers to family reunification:
"These new rules really scare me because I left three children behind….Now I am being told that I have to wait two years before I can even apply to bring them, and that I also need to earn a certain amount of money……that worries me a lot because my degree from back home is not recognised here, so getting a job with that level of income is not easy” - Ephiphanie*
The report presents concrete recommendations to improve the lives of refugees as they navigate the asylum system in Ireland.
The Refugee Advisory Board
The Refugee Advisory Board was established in 2022, with six new members joining the Board in 2025. Now more than ever it is important that refugees' voices are heard with respect to policies and legislation affecting them. Read more about the Irish Refugee Advisory Board.
Read the full Consultation Report here
