Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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611. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason her Department does not collect statistics on the number of minors deported from the State; if this has always been the policy of her Department; her plans to change this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28689/20]

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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612. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason her Department does not collect statistics on the number of Irish-born non-Irish, UK, EEA and Swiss citizens deported from the State; if this has always been the policy of her Department; her plans to change this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28690/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 611 and 612 together.

The Immigration Service of my Department captures the most relevant details relating to an applicant at the time a new immigration record is being created. Those details are comprised of the applicant’s full name, their date of birth, their gender and their country of nationality. The person will also be associated with the relevant immigration application they are applying under. An applicant’s place of birth will not generally be relevant to the consideration of their case. Their country of nationality is the more relevant detail as regards their country of origin.

As I previously said in response to Parliamentary Question 718 of 29 September 2020, the issue of whether or not a child was born in the State will be identifiable and can be duly considered when the individual immigration case is being substantively considered at decision-making stage. At that point, any issues around a child’s birth in the State, the degree to which they have integrated in the State, etc. will be given appropriate consideration before a final decision is made.

My Department does hold records for minors who have been issued with a Deportation Order where that Order has been effected and the minor has left the State. In all such cases, the minor would have left the State in the care of their parent/s or a legal guardian.