Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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649. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department is on track to build staffing and ICT capacity to clear the existing backlog of international protection applications in order to commence the transition to the new planned asylum system here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36970/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department is committed to making further efficiencies in the international protection process.  The Expert Advisory Group on the Provision of Support (including accommodation) to Persons in the International Protection Process led by Dr. Catherine Day, has made a number of recommendations related to the international protection process. These recommendations, along with all other recommendations relevant to the work of my Department will be actively considered by a Programme Board I have established for this purpose. Their work will feed into the development of the White Paper by the end of this year, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.   

My objective is to have decisions on international protection applications and permission to remain considerations made as soon as is possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of our protection can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security. For those found not to be in need of protection, we can offer them assistance to return to their home country.

The Programme for Government commits to processing applications for international protection at first instance with the aim to reduce median processing times to 9 months or below as soon as possible. It also commits to ensuring that additional resources designated for the International Protection Office (IPO) are deployed in the most efficient and effective way possible to increase the output of quality decisions. I was pleased to secure an additional €1.75m in Budget 2021 for the efficient functioning of the international protection system, which will help us to further improve processing times for applications.

Enhanced use of technology and ICT as part of the processing of applications are central to reducing waiting times for decisions. The IPO has already begun to hold virtual interviews with some applicants living outside of Dublin and has put in place a range of measures to create processing efficiencies across a number of work streams such as accelerated procedures, implementation of non-cooperation measures, and initiatives to speed up the return of completed questionnaires. Other options being explored include greater automation of the process including ICT improvements, revision of key documentation and greater use of remote interviewing.

Efforts to improve processing times have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reduced the output of decisions considerably and has impacted on the target set by the IPO to make  first instance decisions in the vast majority of cases within 9 months.  COVID-19 has also impacted those applications at appeal stage. 

The IPO’s main focus going forward is to get its processing system functioning as effectively and efficiently as possible, while adhering to all measures in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.  However, it must be acknowledged that the processing of applications is complex and that each application deserves and receives an individual assessment.