Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 531: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the support, monetary or otherwise, given to asylum seekers when they are deported from Ireland back to their country of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22364/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The extent to which my Department provides supports to failed asylum seekers or other illegal immigrants returning to their country of origin depends largely on whether or not such persons are willing to leave the State voluntarily.

Where a failed asylum seeker or illegal immigrant decides to return voluntarily to their country of origin before a Deportation Order is made in respect of them, reintegration assistance may be provided by my Department. The Irish Voluntary Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP), run in conjunction with the International Organisation of Migration (IOM), has been established to provide assistance to failed asylum seekers and irregular migrants wishing to return voluntarily and who have been identified as vulnerable. Under the VARRP scheme, which is funded by my Department, the IOM will pay for the flights home for such persons and where required will assist in securing travel documents and give assistance at the airport at departure and arrival.

Persons planning to return voluntarily under this programme can apply for reintegration assistance before they depart which they can then access once they have returned to their home country. Irish reintegration assistance is in the form of a payment in kind, for example help starting up a small business, or to revive an existing one, vocational training classes or educational courses.The value of this reintegration assistance for single individuals is up to €600 and for families up to €1000.

Where a failed asylum seeker or illegal immigrant consents to deportation to their country of origin, flight arrangements are made on their behalf and are paid for by my Department. If they are not in possession of a valid passport and are unable to obtain same (for example, due to their country not having an Embassy in Ireland), the Department will then issue a travel document. If the person is residing outside the Dublin area my Department will, if necessary, arrange accommodation to facilitate easy access to the airport, and provide travel vouchers for their journey to Dublin.

Where a failed asylum seeker or illegal immigrant does not leave the State voluntarily or consent to their deportation, they are removed to their country of origin by the Garda National Immigration Bureau. No further support, other than that which is necessary to effect the deportation, is given to such persons.