Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 2

Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

77 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of new applications for asylum received each month to date in 1998; the number of applications to be considered; the number of applications that his Department has accepted since 1992; the number of applications rejected since 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15473/98]

Ivor Callely

Question:

100 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications by asylum seekers for refugee status lodged to date in 1998; the percentage yearly increase of these applications over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15281/98]

Ivor Callely

Question:

175 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total number of applications made for refugee status in his Department; the number of applications approved; the number of applications rejected; the number of applications withdrawn and the reason for this; the number of applications currently being processed; the number of applications awaiting processing; the investigations, if any, into these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15530/98]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 100 and 175 together.

The information sought by the Deputies is set out in the following tabular statements:

TABLE 1

Monthly breakdown 1998

	January	February	March	April	May
Number of applications	321	425	632	407	390

TABULAR 2

Asylum Seekers 1991-98 — % Increase

	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
Number of applications	39	91	362	424	1,179	3,883
% Increase	–	133%	297%	17%	178%	229%

TABLE 3

Decisions taken in*

	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998 (31/5)
Granted refugee status at first stage	4	15	36	209	27
Granted refugee status at appeal stage	0	0	0	4	***
Refused status of which—	27	43	32	304	71
granted temporary leave to remain at first instance of which—	(5)	(8)	(6)	(120)	(0)
where found to be manifestly unfounded	(0)	(0)	(0)	(0)	(24)
granted temporary leave to remain following appeal	(0)	(0)	(0)	(0)	(16)
Total	31	58	68	513	98

* It should be noted that these decisions refer to the year in which the decisions were taken and NOT to the year in which the applications were lodged.

TABLE 4

Asylum Seekers 1992-98

	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998 (31/5)
Number of applications	39	91	362	424	1,179	3,883	2,175
Number of applications withdrawn before decision	3	52	222	219	394	789	31
First Stage
Number recognised as refugees at first stage of determination	7	9	34	90	134	7	2
Number refused at first stage of determination of which—	29	30	106	109	162	34	12
where found to be manifestly unfounded of which—	(0)	(0)	(0)	(0)	(4)	(12)	(8)
granted temporary leave to remain	(7)	(5)	(66)	(21)	(36)	(0)	(0)
Number of first instance applications outstanding	Nil	Nil	Nil	6	489	3,058	2,130
Appeal Stage
Number of cases appealed by year of application	6	21	21	59	107	6	0
Number of cases withdrawn before appeal	2	3	4	4	4	1	0
Number of cases granted refugee status following appeal	0	1	1	4	3	0	0
Number of cases refused following appeal of which—	2	16	14	39	41	0	0
granted temporary leave to remain following appeal	(2)	(11)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(0)	(0)
Number of appeal cases outstanding	2	1	2	12	59	5	0
Total number of cases on hands	2	1	2	18	548	3,058	2,130