Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 795: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people employed at the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner; if they are employed on a full-time fixed-pay basis or on a contract case-by-case basis; the qualifications needed; the training given; if it is in-house; the person who carries it out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22741/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 214 people employed in ORAC including staff who work on a job sharing basis. There are no staff employed on a 'contract case by case basis'. The Office has fourteen atypical staff and two part time workers on contracts of indefinite duration. There are a further two staff employed on 3 year contracts. Under the terms of the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act 2003, staff appointed on temporary contracts, must be treated as 'comparable permanent employees' for the purpose of pay and incremental progression. The remainder of the staff in the Office are permanent and pensionable civil servants. Staff working in the Office satisfy the qualifications criteria relevant to the grade to which they are appointed.

The Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner has a dedicated Training Unit which works in conjunction with an in-house training team, external trainers (including UNHCR) and the Corporate Learning Unit of the Department of Justice, Equality Law Reform to meet the training requirements of the Organisation. Training needs are met by attendance at formal training courses, on the job training and self learning. Training to meet formal business needs/job specific training is delivered either by the in-house training team or by external trainers including the UNHCR. Training in respect of competency and personal development is delivered through attendance at formal training courses, conferences and seminars. All staff in the Organisation receive induction as well as intercultural awareness training as part of a comprehensive training package.

A comprehensive training programme specific to the refugee status determination (RSD) function has been devised in consultation with the UNHCR and with regard to the experience and advice of asylum experts. RSD Training is delivered by a combination of UNHCR and in-house training experts. This includes training to deal with vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied minors. Training is also provided by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre to deal with victims of sexual violence.