Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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511. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average and mean processing times for applications under the accelerated procedure for "safe countries of origin" (the International Protection Act 2015 (Procedures and Periods for Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations 2022) under the International Protection Act 2015; a breakdown of the recognition rates for same by country of origin, since the commencement of that procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23277/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department is committed to reducing processing times for international protection applicants and is taking steps to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible.

On November 8 2022, the International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department introduced accelerated procedures for international protection applicants from safe countries of origin. Applicants from a safe country of origin receive a date for interview date on the same day that they apply for international protection. The International Protection Office have Cultural Mediators and translation services available to support applicants in completing their international protection application on the day.

An applicant from a safe country of origin is afforded the opportunity to submit grounds, in writing and/or at interview, as to why their country is not safe for them and those grounds are given due consideration. Furthermore, all applicants have the right to appeal a negative recommendation by the IPO to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT)

The current median time application date to determination date is 81 days.

Median figures are collated rather than an average, as cases with unusually long or short processing times can skew the data. The median figure is more representative of the typical processing time.

My Department does not maintain statistics in a manner that would provide a detailed breakdown of recognition rates for recommendations sorted by country of origin.

Overall, my Department is working to minimise the timeframe for receiving a decision on an international protection application, allowing those eligible to remain the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Those who are not entitled to the protection of the State will also be advised of that fact as quickly as possible.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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512. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average and mean processing times for applications under the International Protection Act 2015, to date in 2023, which do not fall under the accelerated procedure for "safe countries of origin" (the International Protection Act 2015 (Procedures and Periods for Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations 2022) or prioritisation in accordance with section 73 of the International Protection Act 2015; a breakdown of the recognition rates for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23278/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department is committed to reducing processing times for international protection applicants and is taking steps to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible.

The number of International Protection applications last year was 13,651 – a significant increase on recent years. The application figure for 2022 represents a 186% increase on the same period in 2019, the last year in which application numbers were not impacted by COVID-19.

Between January 1 and May 3 2023, a total of 3,747 applications for international protection have been made, compared to 3,479 in the same period last year.

Notwithstanding the very large increase in the number of applications during 2022 and to date in 2023, there has been a significant reduction in median processing times in 2022 down to 10 months in quarter 4 from a norm of 22-26 months earlier last year. The median processing time for cases processed to completion for all of 2022 was 18 months. This represents a reduction of 8 months in processing time over the course of the year. The median processing time for all cases processed to completion in quarter 1 of 2023 was 10 months.

Median figures are collated rather than an average, as cases with unusually long or short processing times can skew the data. The median figure is more representative of the ‘normal’ processing time.

In 2022, almost 5,000 first instance decisions were made – a higher number than any annual number of applications over the past five years and exceeding the Catherine Day Report target of 3,500. Of those cases, 1,388 were granted refugee status, 70 were granted subsidiary protection, 2,077 were granted permission to remain while 1,366 were refused a grant.

Between January 1 and April 30 2023, almost 2,500 first instance decisions were made. Of those cases, 532 were granted refugee status, 49 were granted subsidiary protection, 272 were granted permission to remain wile 1,633 were refused a grant.

My Department does not maintain statistics in a manner that would provide a detailed breakdown of recognition rates for recommendations sorted by country of origin.

The Government has committed additional funding of nearly €18m for the IPO in 2023 that will go towards improving efficiency in processing applications, including by increasing staff numbers.

Overall, my Department is working to minimise the timeframe for receiving a decision on an international protection application, allowing those eligible to remain the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Those who are not entitled to the protection of the State will also be advised of that fact as quickly as possible.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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513. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average and mean processing times for prioritised applications under section 73 of the International Protection Act 2015, to date in 2023; a breakdown of the recognition rates for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23280/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department is committed to reducing processing times for international protection applicants and is taking steps to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible.

The approach to prioritisation of cases, as provided for under Section 73 of the International Protection Act 2015, is agreed with UNHCR Ireland and is published on the International Protection Office website. Prioritisation relates solely to the scheduling of interviews with applicants and does not pre-determine any recommendation to be made in individual cases. Prioritisation, as allowed under section 73 of the International Protection Act 2015, is subject to the need for fairness and efficiency in dealing with applications for international protection.

From 14 June 2021, a new statement of prioritisation, agreed with UNHCR, came into effect. Scheduling of interviews will occur under two processing streams to run concurrently:

1. Oldest cases first; and

2. The following criteria:

• Age of applicant - unaccompanied minors, aged-out unaccompanied minors and applications aged 70 years or older and who are not part of a family group.
• Applications that are likely well-founded based on a medico-legal report;
• Applications that are likely well-founded based on the country of origin or habitual residence of the applicant in respect of applicants from: Syria, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen; and
• Health grounds - where certified by a medical consultant.

My Department does not maintain statistics in a manner that would provide a detailed breakdown of recognition rates for recommendations sorted by country of origin.

Overall, my Department is working to minimise the timeframe for receiving a decision on an international protection application, allowing those eligible to remain the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Those who are not entitled to the protection of the State will also be advised of that fact as quickly as possible.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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514. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average and mean processing times for positive decisions issued by the Family Reunification Unit, under the International Protection Act 2015, to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23281/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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515. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average and mean processing times for applications for labour market access permission and a breakdown of those decisions made in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23282/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since its introduction in June 2018, under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), the labour market access permission issued by my Department has had a very positive impact for international protection applicants and employers alike. Over 13,000 first labour market access permissions have been granted to date.

This permission gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State’s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection.

The 2018 Regulations, as amended, provide access to both employment and self-employment for any applicant who has not received a first instance decision within six months of making their international protection application, provided that this situation cannot be attributed to the applicant.

The European Communities (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 52 of 2021) reduced the waiting period for labour market access for international protection applicants to 6 months and extended the validity of a labour market access permission to 12 months from the date of issue, with effect from 9 February 2021. The permission may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.

Last year, 4,772 first permits were issued and 1,603 renewals were granted. To date (30 April) in 2023, some 3,554 first permits have already issued. From 30 June 2018 – 30 April 2023, a total of 18,509 applications have been processed by my Department for a first labour market access permission. Of these applications, approximately 85% (15,740) have been granted and 2,769 have been refused.

The average processing times for applications received and processed in 2023 is 55 days and the median processing time is 53 days.

The Labour Market Access processing team is experiencing an unprecedented surge in applications at the moment. This reflects the increase in applications for international protection last year and in particular for the months May – July 2022. The Labour Market Access processing team have increased their processing capacity to 1,000 permits per month and this is reflected in the permits granted in 2023 to date. The Labour Market Access processing team are proactively identifying applications for permit renewals so that those already in employment are unaffected.

Justice Plan 2023 commits to reviewing the impact of the Access to Labour Market improvements introduced in 2021. The review is due to be completed in the first half of the year.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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516. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of people who have been refused leave to land to date in 2023, broken down by nationality; the number of those who subsequently left the State or made an application for international protection, broken down by nationality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23283/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The State has a duty to protect its borders and following examination, ensure that all arriving passengers are entitled to enter the State. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights.

Under Section 4 of the Immigration Act 2004, an immigration officer must determine whether a non-EEA national should be granted leave to land and thus gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an officer is required to consider all of the circumstances of the individual at the time of entry. Section 4(3) of that Act sets out the full range of grounds on which a passenger may be refused.

When a person is refused leave to land at Dublin airport, the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for removal from the state. The priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation.

If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. However, they will still be recorded as a refusal of leave to land.

The Border Management Unit of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).

*May be subject to slight variance following data cleansing.

Refusals

*where a Nationality has 10 or less Refusals/Asylum claims they are grouped as Others to prevent identification.

Asylum

*where a nationality has 10 or fewer Refusals/Asylum claims they are grouped as Others to prevent identification.