Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 2

Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.

Jack Wall

Question:

49 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications for asylum received each month to date in 1999; the average time taken to process these applications; the number of these applications rejected; the number of these applicants who have been served with deportation orders; the number who have been deported or left the country voluntarily following the serving of deportation orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11551/99]

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

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to monthly application figures is set out below:

Monthly Breakdown 1999

Number of Applications

January	February	March	April
234	234	358	315

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.

To date in 1999 no deportation orders have been signed. The judgment in the Laurendu case found that section 5 (1) (e) of the Aliens Act, 1935, which deals with the power to deport was unconstitutional and that therefore article 13 (1) of the Aliens Order, 1946 was invalid. The power to deport is in abeyance since this judgment.