Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 310: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will allow extended residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath to facilitate their education and to ensure availability of counselling and support services, in view of the instability in their homeland, if repatriated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29111/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The person concerned and her three children arrived in the State on 5 July, 2005 and applied for asylum on 6 July, 2005. She was interviewed in relation to her claim for refugee status on 20 July, 2005 by an officer of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. She was informed by letter dated 26 July, 2005 that the Refugee Applications Commissioner was recommending that she be refused refugee status, and that this recommendation also applied to dependants, if any, named in the Section 13 report of her application. The person concerned appealed this recommendation on 17 August, 2005 and her appeal was heard by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal on 13 June, 2006. The person concerned was notified by letter dated 17 August, 2006 that her appeal was rejected.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 24 August, 2006 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of her and her children. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of, making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she and her children should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before Deportation Orders were made; consenting to the making of Deportation Orders.

Representations have been made to my Department requesting that the person concerned and her three children be allowed to remain in the State. I expect the file in the matter to be submitted to me for decision in due course, at which time all aspects of her situation as notified by her legal representative will be considered.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 311: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; when they arrived here; the location or existence of their travel and identify documentation; when such documentation will be returned to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29112/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The persons concerned with their child claimed asylum in the State on 16 October 1998. A formal declaration of refugee status issued to them by letter dated 6 November 2000. This communication also advised them of their rights and entitlements attaching to refugee status including entitlement to an Irish issued travel document. No application has been received from them for the return of any travel or identity documents such as passports. However, I should point out that the use of their own national passports or travel documents would be regarded as inconsistent with their refugee status given that the basis of their successful asylum claim was the inability of their home country to afford them the protection they sought.