James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I am aware of his genuine interest in this matter. My Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations of the expert advisory group report to reduce processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to six months, as outlined in the White Paper to end direct provision and establish a new international protection support service. Work is under way in my Department towards identifying mechanisms to support improved processing times, including an end-to-end review of processes, which is being undertaken to streamline processing as much as possible.

In the context of the current backlog of international protection cases, my Department intends in the first instance to prioritise the processing of all cases using improved processes and the planned ICT investment in the system. My Department will, by October 2022 at the latest, commence a review of the progress made in reducing and improving processing times.

I appreciate the Deputy's genuine interest in this topic and his compassion for people in the refugee centre in his county, which is one of the oldest in the country.

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