Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10373/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. A final decision on this application will be made upon receipt of the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

I am also informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question is currently the subject of a Family Reunification application submitted in October 2006. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation is completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to my Department. This application for Family Reunification will be considered by my Department and a decision will issue in due course.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in regard to residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10374/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The person concerned claimed asylum in the State on 7 January 2004 and had her claim examined by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, following which it was recommended that she should be recognised as a refugee.

Based on this recommendation, the person concerned was advised of my decision to issue her with a formal declaration of refugee status by letter dated 16 August 2005. This communication also advised the person concerned of the rights and entitlements accompanying refugee status in the State. The person concerned continues to hold the status of refugee in the State.