Written answers

Thursday, 7 December 2017

Department of Justice and Equality

Immigration Data

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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127. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number and nationality of persons detained here due to the fact that they have been deemed illegal immigrants, face deportation, are being transferred to another member state under the Dublin regulation or have been refused leave to land, with particular reference to the length and outcome of each detention since 2015. [52556/17]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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In relation to information on the detention of persons refused leave to land, section 5 of the Immigration Act 2003 (as amended by the International Protection Act 2015), contains the main provisions dealing with the removal from the State of persons refused leave to land. It specifies that a person to whom this section applies may be arrested by an immigration officer or a member of An Garda Síochána and detained in a prescribed place of detention for the purpose of facilitating their removal from the State, which must be as soon as is practicable.

The table summarises the numbers of persons refused leave to land since 2015. In the vast majority of cases persons are returned on the next available flight within a short period of time. Others are granted a temporary permission to enter the State usually on the condition they report to their nearest Garda station. Only a very small number are detained for longer periods, usually until a return flight is available.  Accordingly, these figures should not be interpreted as indicating any significant period of detention.

YearNo. of refusals
20153,451
20163,951
2017 to 1/9 * 2,578

* The figure for 2017 is provisional and subject to change. 

The enforcement of deportation orders and Dublin Regulation removal orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Accordingly, detention for the purpose of enforcement of such orders falls within the remit of the GNIB. I am advised by An Garda Síochána that the breakdown of data requested by the Deputy is not readily available, and that efforts to compile such information would require the expenditure of a disproportionate and inordinate amount of Garda resources and time. However, my officials are exploring this matter further with both An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service, and I will be in touch with the Deputy again in relation to this matter.

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