Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1337. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the overall median waiting time for appeals of international protection application decisions through the International Protections Appeals Tribunal; and the number of persons currently awaiting a decision on an appeal in tabular form. [39370/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy I have had enquiries made and I am informed by the Tribunal of the median waiting times, as set out in the table below. 

For those who are in the international protection process, our objective is to have decisions made on their applications, including the permission to remain consideration, as soon as 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. 

My Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations in the Expert Advisory Group Report to reduce processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months respectively, as outlined in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service.