Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 510: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the funding which is available for the publication of literature to inform refugees and asylum seekers of their rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34156/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The following information material and funding is provided by the asylum agencies under my Department to inform refugees and asylum seekers of their rights and entitlements.

The Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC, provides asylum applicants with a comprehensive information leaflet which explains how the asylum process in Ireland operates. The leaflet is currently available in 30 languages, and is kept under ongoing review. Asylum applicants are also provided with a customer service information leaflet and a customer service charter and are informed of their right to consult a solicitor in addition to or instead of the UNHCR. ORAC also facilitates the refugee legal service by disseminating their information leaflets to all applicants.

The Refugee Appeals Tribunal, RAT, has the following leaflets available for applicants: an information leaflet for applicants for refugee status in Ireland, appeals procedure and an information leaflet for applicants for refugee status in Ireland, appeals procedure Dublin II regulation. Both leaflets have been translated into 24 different languages. The RAT customer charter which is on display in the reception area of the tribunal has also been translated into 24 different languages. No specific funding is provided to asylum seekers by ORAC or RAT for information purposes although, as has been indicated, comprehensive information literature is provided by both organisations.

The reception and integration agency, RIA, operates a number of information programmes which include asylum seeker facilities at resident centres covering information clinics with representatives from community welfare services, public health nurses and other service providers invited to participate, distribution and display of leaflets, posters etc. from a wide range of Departments and agencies as well as NGOs and in-house publications in nine languages on access to services and information about Ireland. A number of centres provide on-site facilities for community welfare and medical services.

In addition, outreach clinics outside Dublin are currently being run in conjunction with UNHCR, bringing together a wide range of agencies and organisations involved in asylum seekers and refugee matters. Moreover, persons leaving RIA centres who have obtained refugee status or leave to remain are given orientation information in four languages and this is currently being extended to include a further four languages. Special publications are also provided by the RIA for resettlement refugees coming to Ireland.

With regard to specific targeted funding for publications, the RIA operates an annual small grants scheme, with €146,000 allocated to date for 2005, which provides for a maximum individual grant of €6,000 and can be used for publicity-related purposes by NGOs. The RIA also administers the European refugee fund which is worth €1 million annually and is used by NGOs for reception, integration and voluntary return projects, some of which will incorporate elements addressing information provision for refugees and asylum seekers.

Finally, the refugee legal service, RLS, provides independent legal advice and assistance to asylum applicants at all stages of the asylum process. The service, which is part of the Legal Aid Board, is largely Exchequer funded. The RLS uses a variety of methods to inform asylum applicants about the availability of its service and also about the nature of the asylum process.

It produces a number of leaflets, namely, one about its own services, and two providing general information about the asylum process in Ireland. These leaflets are made available at all accommodation centres for asylum applicants. They are also provided to the citizens information centres and to various support groups throughout the country. In addition, the RLS arranges an outreach service at accommodation centres, where it provides information to newly arrived asylum seekers about its services and about the asylum process. Apart from the substantial legal, outreach and information services it provides, the RLS does not provide funding for specific publications for asylum seekers.

In addition, information is also available on my Department's website and the websites of the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, the reception and integration agency and the refugee legal service. Other Departments and State agencies also provide services to refugees and asylum seekers and may provide information material, etc., for this purpose.