Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 610: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process travel documents, 1951 convention travel documents, issued to persons granted a declaration of refugee status here under section 17(1) Refugee Act 1996 and programme refugees; the average waiting time to process temporary travel documents that may issue in specific emergency circumstances; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in 2009; the steps he is taking to expedite the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1569/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Immigration Services Section of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that applications for Travel Documents are currently taking 5 - 6 weeks to process on receipt of fully completed applications.

Applications are dealt with as quickly as possible having regard to the nature of the application and overall resources across the full range of services provided by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. At the end of December 2009 there were 59 applications on hand awaiting decision.

The table outlines the figures for the past 12 months in respect of applications processed by the Travel Document Unit.