Written answers

Wednesday, 17 November 2010

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Asylum Applications

9:00 pm

Photo of Lucinda CreightonLucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of persons residing here awaiting a decision on asylum status; the number of persons residing here who have been declined asylum status, the cost of accommodating these persons here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43039/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As at 31 October there were 530 persons awaiting a first instance asylum decision in the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC), while 1,055 persons were awaiting an asylum appeal decision in the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT). For the avoidance of any misunderstanding, I should say that the majority of these cases are relatively recent applications i.e. in the system less than 12 months.

Persons who are refused asylum are entitled to seek leave to remain in the State under the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) when there is also the possibility for them to make an application for Subsidiary Protection. As at 31 October 2010 approximately 9,000 such cases were recorded as pending. However, this does not mean that it can be stated definitively that this is the actual number of people residing here who have been refused asylum status. In common with the practice in other States, it tends to be the case that significant numbers of persons leave the State during and after the processing of their asylum applications. As Ireland does not operate a system of exit controls, it is simply not possible to state the true figure in this respect. There is evidence from our visa applications processes to suggest that some of these persons have in fact returned to their country of origin.

Neither is it possible to state the costs of accommodation for such persons, because there is no mandatory requirement for asylum seekers (or for persons who seek to remain in the State on other grounds having been refused asylum) to avail of State provided, or State funded accommodation.

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