Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has signed an order that will see asylum seekers and their families offered up to €10,000 to drop their claim for International Protection.
The increased voluntary return grant will apply to those who sought asylum in Ireland before 28 September and who are awaiting a decision on their status.
Under the voluntary return programme, asylum seekers can receive financial support to return to their home country if they do not have permission to remain in Ireland.
The Department of Justice has said that an increased "reintegration allowance" for people earlier in the asylum seeking process has been introduced in order to reduce pressure on the system.
The department says that as of 19 September last, 1,159 people left Ireland by way of voluntary return so far this year, an increase of 129% compared to the same period in 2024.
In terms of the current grant allowance under the voluntary return programme, up to €1,200 is offered per person and €2,000 for a family.
Under the increased rates, this would rise to €2,500 per person and a maximum of €10,000 for a family.
It is available to people in the asylum system before 28 September and who are awaiting a decision on their status.
Voluntary return is open to people who have no legal status in Ireland, who have withdrawn their application for international protection or who have had it refused.
It is not offered to people who have been convicted of a serious crime.
Speaking to reporters in Carlow, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said: "We know that deportations do play an important role in relation to having a fair and efficient migration system in place.
"But it is also costly, it also takes a lot of time to actually make them happen and I understand what Minister O'Callaghan is doing is looking at other ways in which we could ensure that those who will be leaving Ireland at some point in the future do so in a more timely and more efficient way."
