Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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298. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asylum seekers granted refugee status in each of the years 2014 to 2018; the success rate in percentage terms relative to the overall number of applications in each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44429/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, applications for international protection are now processed at first instance, as part of a single application procedure, by the International Protection Office (IPO) which replaced the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC). The staff of that Office (the Chief International Protection Officer and International Protection Officers) are independent in the performance of their protection functions. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) considers appeals against IPO refusals of international protection and the Tribunal is also independent in the performance of its functions

The IPO was established on 31 December 2016 following the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015 providing for the introduction of a single application procedure for people seeking international protection. The 2015 Act replaced the previous sequential application system with a single application process, for asylum, subsidiary protection and permission to remain in the State, bringing Ireland into line with the processing arrangements applicable in other EU Member States.

The number of asylum seekers granted refugee status in each of the years 2014 to 2018 are set out in the table below. However, the Deputy may wish to note that grants made in a particular year do not necessarily correspond with applications made in the same year.

Refugee Status Granted in the Years 2014 to 2018