Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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15. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the circumstances around claims of a recent influx of immigrants to Ireland in the space of one month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26907/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to a recent newspaper article which reported on increased asylum volumes and referred to 700 applicants arriving in the space of a month. The factual position is as follows. A total of 1,481 new asylum applications were received to the end of June this year compared with 597 for the same period in 2014. This is a year on year increase of 884 applicants or 148%. The top five source countries for applications in 2015 are Pakistan, Bangladesh, Albania, Nigeria, and India. These countries account for some 70% of all applications received to end June. The sharpest increases relate to applications from Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals.

The number of applications received already this year has exceeded the total number for all of last year. This is obviously putting a significant strain on resources, particularly on the Direct Provision system which is now virtually full.

The trend in relation to increased asylum application numbers is also being experienced across other EU States. I have, however, asked my officials to investigate the reasons giving rise to the sharp increase in applications from certain nationalities.

In accordance with the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) asylum applicants may make an asylum application at the frontier of the State and are given permission to enter and remain in the country pending the final outcome of their application.

I want to make it clear that Ireland always has and will continue to live up to its obligations in relation to the granting of protection to those who are in need of it and meet the criteria set down in international and national law. However, where such applicants are deemed to be unfounded, then they must leave the State when required to do so. This is the position with all developed nations worldwide and Ireland is no different in this regard.