Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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101. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if a company (details supplied) is used, or has been used in the past, by State agencies involved in the assessment of asylum claims here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28218/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware the processing of asylum applications is carried out within the framework of the Refugee Act 1996 under which every asylum applicant is guaranteed an investigation and determination of his or her claim at first instance by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC).

In endeavouring to establish the veracity of applications, ORAC has availed of language analysis testing in some asylum cases. This involves the use of international experts to examine an applicant's speech in order to assess, as specifically as possible, whether an applicant could be placed in the geographical area or speech community from which they claimed to come.

Following competitive tender processes, the company referred to by the Deputy, was previously successful and was awarded contracts by my Department.

The Deputy may wish to note that a language analysis report assists ORAC as part of a broader analysis of a person's application for refugee status and is considered in conjunction with all other elements of a claim. Accordingly, every applicant for asylum is given a full opportunity of presenting his/her case at a substantive interview in accordance with the provisions of the Refugee Act 1996. These interviews are conducted by trained persons authorised by the Refugee Applications Commissioner for that purpose.

The use of language analysis is not unique to this State and also used in other EU Member States.