Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 8

Written Answers. - Asylum Seekers.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

10 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Justice the number of asylum applications processed during each of the past five years; the number of applicants who were granted asylum, refused asylum and granted humanitarian leave to remain, in each of these years; if she has satisfied herself with the way in which the current procedures are operating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21708/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statements. Table 1 sets out for each of the past five years the number of applications received and the outcome or present position of the applications lodged during the years in question. Table 2 sets out details of decisions taken in each of the past three years: details for previous years are not available.

TABLE 1.

Asylum Seekers — Table 1992-96.

	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996(to 15-11-96)
Number of Applications	39	91	362	424	977
Number recognised as Refugees	7	9	17	13	2
Number refused recognition but granted leave to remain on humanitarian grounds	7	5	5	2	0
Number refused recognition	22	21	28	6	2
Number refused and under appeal	—	(14)	(5)	—	—
Number of applications withdrawn	3	54	225	142	73
Number of applications outstanding	Nil	2	87	261	900

TABLE 2.

Decisions taken in each of the following years.

	1994	1995	1996
			(to 14-11-96)
Granted refugee status	4	14	27
Humanitarian leave	5	8	6
Refused status	22	35	24
Total	31	57	57

As the Deputy will be aware from my reply to her of 30 October 1996, asylum applications are dealt with in accordance with a 1985 arrangement entered into with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The large increase in asylum applications over the past three years, and over the past year in particular, have caused the build up of a significant backlog of cases awaiting finalisation. This has come about as neither the UNHCR nor my Department has had sufficient resources to deal with the increasing numbers. Mechanisms for the clearance of this backlog are currently being examined by my Department and the UNHCR are being consulted in the matter. Within these constraints, I am satisfied that the current procedures are operating satisfactorily.