Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 3

Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

30 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications for asylum seekers outstanding at the latest date for which figures are available; the average time taken to process applications; the number of persons deported in each of the years 1999 and 2000; the number of persons in respect of whom deportation orders have been made but which have yet to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15423/00]

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

At 30 April 2000 there were 12,063 applications for asylum outstanding – the figures for 31 May 2000 are not yet available. The current processing time for processing asylum applications from initial application stage to the determination of an appeal, in cases where refused applicants avail of the opportunity to appeal, takes between four months for, manifestly unfounded cases, and two years. In cases where there is no appeal the processing time is between four and 15 months. If there is a further challenge to a deportation order and-or the asylum process, the period could extend to a further 12 to 14 months.

A total of 396 deportation orders have been made under the provisions of the Immigration Act, 1999. Six persons were deported in 1999 and a further 24 have been deported in 2000 to date. In addition, a further seven persons left the State before deportation orders could be effected.

In the remaining cases, 91 persons evaded deportation orders, 117 persons were not at their last known address for the purposes of service, 60 have been granted judicial review by the courts and arrangements for deportation are being made in a further 77 cases. Deportation orders in respect of the remaining 14 cases are being revoked, primarily on the advice of the Attorney General.