There has been an eight-fold increase in the number of asylum seekers looking for international protection in Ireland this year.
By far the highest amount have come from Georgia.
In the first eight months of last year, 1,148 asylum-seekers sought international protection here.
700% increase
That rose to 8,892 in the same period this year.
That represents an increase of around 700%.
That is separate from the over 50,000 people who have come from Ukraine fleeing the Russian invasion.
Where are they coming from?
Of this year's figure almost 1,800 have come from Georgia, while over 1,200 have come from Somalia and just under 1,000 have come from Algeria.
The Department of Justice said the increase is partly down to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It said there has been a rise in applicants coming from many countries since international travel resumed.
Another factor, it said, may be that other countries have changed their policies - creating a perception they are less welcoming to asylum-seekers.
