Written Answers - Refugee Appeals.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
172
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the number of applications for asylum received during 2002 and to date in 2003; the number of applications upheld by the Refugee Appeals Commission; the number of appeals submitted to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal; the number of such appeals upheld; the number of applications for leave to remain; the number of such applications granted; the number of deportation orders made; the number of such deportations carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7345/03]
The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the following tables:
Table 1: Number of applications received and the number of recommendations by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner to grant Refugee Status, at first instance, in 2002 and 2003. Dated 28 February 2003:
|
2002
|
2003(28/2)
|
Number of applications received
|
11,634
|
1,926
|
Number of recommendations to grant refugee status issued by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner
|
893
|
71
|
Table 2: Number of appeals submitted to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and the number upheld, at appeal stage, in 2002 and 2003. Dated 28 February 2003:
|
2002
|
2003(28/2)
|
Number of appeals received
|
5,099*
|
393*
|
Number of appeals upheld by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal
|
1,097*
|
187*
|
*Substantive cases, granted refugee status.
Table 3: Number of Deportation Orders Signed and Number effected in 2002 and 2003. Dated 28 February 2003:
|
2002
|
2003(28/2)
|
Number of Deportation Orders Signed
|
2,430
|
215
|
Number of Deportation Orders Effected
|
521
|
104
|
In so far as the information is available, the number of applications for leave to remain in the State during 2002 was 6,896. The number granted leave to remain in 2002 on the basis on parentage of an Irish born child was 3,123; on the basis of marriage to an Irish national was 86 and on the basis of dependants of an EU citizen was 138. The number granted leave to remain on humanitarian grounds was 159.
The number of applications for leave to remain in the State during 2003, up to 31 January 2003, was 744. The number granted leave to remain in 2003, up to 31 January 2003, on the basis on parentage of an Irish born child was 172 and on the basis of marriage to an Irish national was seven. The number granted leave to remain on humanitarian grounds was 11. Figures for those granted leave to remain on the basis of dependants of an EU citizen in 2003 are not yet available.
Brian O'Shea
Question:
173
Mr. O'Shea
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the position in regard to the policy effects of the decision of the Supreme Court of 23 January 2003 in regard to the rights of non-EU nationals whose children have been born here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7340/03]
The Supreme Court gave its judgment in the cases of L & O on the 23 January 2003 and found that the Minister was entitled to deport the persons concerned who are the parents of Irish born children.
Since that time I have ceased accepting new applications from persons claiming a right to reside in Ireland based solely on the birth of a child. I am currently considering, with the assistance of the Attorney General, how those cases which are currently on hand are to be dealt with. There are over 11,000 applications on hand in respect of which no decision has been made; of these over 9,500 are current or former asylum seekers.
My discussions with the Attorney General about the policy, legal and constitutional effects of the judgment are continuing. I have given the Government a preliminary assessment of the implications of the judgment and I intend to bring to Government in the near future a more comprehensive assessment of the judgment and proposals for action on foot of it.