Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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158. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of recommendations made under section 21(3) of the International Protection Act 2015 in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16193/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The table below provides the numbers of recommendations made under s21(3) of the International Protection Act 2015, in the years requested by the Deputy.

These applications for international protection were inadmissible under s.21(2)(a) of the International Protection Act 2015, as another EU Member State had already granted refugee status or subsidiary protection status to the person, which precludes them from making an application for international protection in the State. 

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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159. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of personal interviews that took place under section 35 of the International Protection Act 2015 from 1 March 2020 to 15 March 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16194/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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A total of 498 interviews under section 35 of the International Protection Act 2015, took place in the period 1 March 2020 to 15 March 2021.  Of these, 45 interviews were adjourned and the applicant will be scheduled to attend a further interview to complete the process.

The interview schedule for the International Protection Office (IPO) has unfortunately been severely disrupted arising from the measures put in place to address the Covid-19 public health emergency.  Regrettably, interviews are currently suspended in line with public health measures to protect both applicants and staff of the IPO. 

While interviews are currently suspended, the IPO is planning for the resumption of interviews once the prevailing public health advice allows them to be carried out safely for all involved.