Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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173. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of international protection applicants waiting to receive a first instance decision from the International Protection Office and the average length of time persons have waiting for a decision. [13587/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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At the end of January 2021, there were 5,279 cases pending at the International Protection Office (IPO). The table below provides a breakdown of this figure by duration pending.

Applications pending at the IPO at the end of January 2021

One of the key recommendations of the Expert Advisory Group, Chaired by Dr. Catherine Day, was the reduction of processing times for both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months each, as far as possible. Work is underway in my Department on identifying mechanisms which will assist with working towards this objective. Additional ICT resources have been secured for 2021 and detailed work, including an end-to-end review of processes, to guide enhanced processing times is underway. When this first phase of work has been carried out it will enable a more detailed set of milestones to be put in place.

The IPO has already begun holding virtual interviews with some applicants living outside of Dublin. They have also put in place a range of measures to improve 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 a greater use of remote interviewing.

An additional €1.75m was secured in Budget 2021 for the efficient functioning of the international protection system, which will help to further improve processing times for applications. By October 2022 at the latest, my Department will carry out a review of the progress made in reducing and improving processing times. The Department will then decide whether additional measures are required in order to ensure that the new system can come into operation without the overhang of any significant number of legacy cases.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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174. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she plans to introduce legislation or other measures to implement the recommendation made in the Report of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process to deal with unsuccessful applicants that are deemed non-returnable. [13588/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The report of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process made a range of recommendations concerning improvements to supports provided to those in the international protection process, including that the State should develop a strategy and, if necessary, enact legislation for dealing with unsuccessful applicants who are deemed “non-returnable”.

I have established a High Level Programme Board in my Department to assess the recommendations of the Advisory Group that are relevant to the role of my Department and to oversee their implementation, as appropriate. The Advisory Group's recommendation in relation to 'non-returnable' unsuccessful applicants is to be considered by the Implementation Board in the first instance.