Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

International Protection

Photo of Marie SherlockMarie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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967. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide details on the pausing of international protection applications and associated family reunification applications from Syria; the planned length of the pause; whether the IPO has contacted each of the Syrian applicants who have applied for international protection or family reunification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46625/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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It is important to note that the Department has not paused accepting applications from Syria or processing any such applications: it is only the issuing of decisions on those applications that has been paused.

When assessing any international protection claim, it must be evaluated against the current situation in that country. With the fall of the regime in Syria, the context against which any application is assessed fundamentally changed.

Therefore, it is incumbent on my Department to temporarily pause issuing any determinations, whether positive or negative, whilst the situation in Syria stabilises to some degree and a proper assessment of those applications can be made in due course. It would be entirely unreasonable to rush to conclude that an applicant, whose claim for protection was based on persecution by the Assad regime, could be refused asylum as the regime has fallen.

As the Deputy may be aware, the UNHCR has noted that a number of States have taken such an approach and expressed the view that, in light of the uncertain and highly fluid situation, the suspension of processing of claims is acceptable as long as Syrians can still apply for asylum. Ireland agrees with that position, which is what we have implemented.

Applicants for international protection from Syria are still entitled to all the attendant rights of applicants under the International Protection Act 2015, including reception conditions and permission to work and so on.

It is not possible at this point to say how long the issuing of determinations will be paused, but the situation will be kept under review.

While the Minister has made public statements that were widely reported relating to the pause in issuing the determinations, the IPO has not been in individual contact with each applicant from Syria.

As the Deputy will be aware, family reunification under the International Protection Act 2015 gives certain family members an immigration permission allowing them to live in Ireland with the holder of an international protection declaration. Family reunification applications for Syrian nationals continue to be processed and family reunification decisions continue made by the Department.

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