Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 2

Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

45 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of asylum seekers waiting decision of their application for refugee status; the period of time these applications are being processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11200/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following statement:

Number of asylum applications outstanding

1996	1997	1998	1999(28/4)
38	1,103	2,895	1,093

Because of the very wide spectrum of cases and the considerable backlog of applications which I inherited on taking office as Minister, it is difficult to identify an average time from start to finish of the asylum determination process which would have any real meaning.

The task force which I put in place to deal with this matter is dealing with new and old applications simultaneously. At the present rate of progress and based on current application figures, I am advised that the task force will have dealt with the entire backlog of applications by July 2000 and from that date will be processing applications within weeks of arrival.