Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 1

Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.

Ivor Callely

Question:

168 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the time-scale and associated issues to deal with all asylum seekers applications in view of the number of personnel allocated to the processing of applications; the number of applications to his Department; his Department's experience to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7338/99]

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

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.

I can however inform the Deputy that by the end of 1998, all applicants who had sought asylum in this State before January 1997, had been afforded the opportunity of a substantive interview. First stage determination of asylum applications follows within a matter of weeks of the substantive interview in most cases, exceptions would be where a reinterview or further detailed inquiries are necessary). By June 1999 it is expected that all applicants who lodged a claim in 1997 will have been afforded the opportunity of a substantive interview.

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.

I appointed Mr. Peter Finlay and Mr. Eamon Cahill to act as appeal authorities (to hear appeals against the decision to refuse refugee status), replacing Mr. Justice Peter O'Malley who retired from the post in July 1998. They commenced hearing cases in September 1998. The two new appeals authorities have heard 338 substantive appeals to 28 February 1999, decisions have been reached in 184 of these cases and refugee status has been granted in 70 cases. In addition, the appeal authorities have considered 17 appeals against the decision to refuse refugee status (on manifestly unfounded grounds) and eight appeals have been successful and nine were refused. I have recently appointed a further two appeals authorities who will be commencing hearing appeals in the near future.

The number of applications for asylum for the years 1992 to 1999 (to date) are set out hereunder:

1992	39
1993	91
1994	362
1995	424
1996	1,179
1997	3,883
1998	4,626
1999(28-02)	468