Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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575. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 560 of 31 January 2023, to elaborate on the status of the individual who was the subject of a determination 170 months after their application; whether the initial determination was in their favour; whether that person is still within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8447/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, for reasons relating to applicant confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for international protection has been made in the State. An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate if they wish to receive an update on the status of their case.

In relation to the PQ referenced by the Deputy I can confirm again that the longest application processing time for 2022 was 170 months, i.e. the first instance determination issued in 2022, but some 170 months after initial application. I can further assure the Deputy that this type of situation will only arise in the most exceptional of circumstances.

Typically, where an application remains in processing for a longer period this is due to reasons outside the control of my Department. This can include cases before the courts, or where an applicant does not engage with the process or cannot be contacted. All applicants with a valid application who applied prior to February 2020 were also eligible to apply for the regularisation scheme for the undocumented.