Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process applications for subsidiary protection in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in the past 12 months; the steps he is taking to speed up the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28224/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Subsidiary Protection under the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006 is a form of international protection offered to those persons who do not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee but who nonetheless claim a risk of serious harm in their country of origin if repatriated there. Each application for Subsidiary Protection in the State is considered on the basis of its individual merits, having regard for the claims made by the applicant and measured against objective, reputable, up to date information relating to the applicant's country of origin. The Deputy will therefore appreciate that the consideration of applications for Subsidiary Protection in the State is a resource intensive process. The average waiting time for the processing of such applications is 211 days. However, due to the huge numbers of applications and of the fact that no two applications will be the same in terms of their complexity the processing times will vary on a case to case basis.

The Deputy can be assured that strenuous efforts have been and continue to be made to ensure that applications in respect of this matter are processed as promptly as possible. Additional staff have been deployed to the area and considerable investment has been made in the development of technology required to support the processing of such applications.

The Deputy might wish to note that as there is a constant turnaround of applications it is not possible to give an accurate breakdown of the number of Subsidiary Protection applications on hand on a monthly basis. However, there are currently 3158 Subsidiary Protection applications on hand. The table sets out the other statistical information requested by the Deputy.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process applications in accordance with section 4(2) of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations for admittance into the subsidiary protection process; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in the past 12 months; the steps he is taking to speed up the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28225/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Section 4(2) of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations - Statutory Instrument No. 518 of 2006 essentially relates to my discretion to accept and consider an application for Subsidiary Protection from persons, who do not have an automatic right to apply for Subsidiary Protection (i.e. are persons for whom Deportation Orders were signed before the coming into force of the Regulations on 10 October, 2006). In such cases, I may exercise discretion pursuant to Regulation 4(2) of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 S.I. No. 518 to accept and consider an application for Subsidiary Protection where an individual has identified new facts or circumstances which demonstrate a change of position from that which pertained at the time the Deportation Order was made.

The average waiting time for the processing of such applications is four to six weeks, which due to the complexity of the issues involved in each individual application is considered to be reasonable. The Deputy can be assured that strenuous efforts have been and continue to be made to ensure that applications in respect of this matter are processed as promptly as possible. Additional staff have been deployed to the area and considerable investment has been made in the development of technology required to support the processing of such applications.

The Deputy might wish to note that statistical records of the number of Section 4(2) applications on hand on a monthly basis are not available. However, I can give a breakdown on the number of decision made on such applications. The table sets them out.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process applications for readmittance to the asylum process under section 17(7) of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in the past 12 months; the steps he is taking to speed up the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28226/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The average processing time for applications for readmittance to the asylum process under Section 17(7) of the Refugee Act 1996, is four weeks, from the date of receipt of all relevant information. From June 2008 to June 2009, 128 applications were considered, of which 34 applicants where readmitted to the asylum process and 86 applicants where unsuccessful. There are 8 cases on hands awaiting processing.