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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 6

Written Answers. - Voluntary Repatriation.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

114 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the financial assistance given to asylum seekers who advise his Department of their wish to return to their country of origin; and the impact on them of so advising his Department, in particular in the context of accommodation, financial supports and identity papers. [15095/01]

Alan Shatter

Question:

194 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the financial assistance given to asylum seekers who advise his Department of their wish to return to their country of origin; and the impact on them of so advising his Department, in particular in the context of accommodation, financial supports and identity papers. [15138/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 194 together.

The information sought by the Deputies falls into two categories, namely, voluntary returns and consent to deportation. In the case of a voluntary return, a person advises my Department that they wish to withdraw from the asylum process and leave the State voluntarily. In such cases no financial assistance is given to the person in respect of their return arrangements. However, if the person is residing outside the Dublin area my Department would, if necessary, accommodate them to facilitate easy access to the airport, and provide travel vouchers for their journey. The person must pay for their own flight and supply my Department with the relevant flight details. The flight must be one way only and the ultimate destination must be their country of origin or a country which they can prove that they have permission to enter.
In the case where a person consents to deportation to their country of origin, flight arrangements are made on their behalf and are paid for by the Department. If they are not in possession of a valid passport and are unable to obtain same due to their country not having an embassy in Ireland, they are then issued with a travel document. If the person is residing outside the Dublin area my Department would, if necessary, accommodate them to facilitate easy access to the airport, and provide travel vouchers for their journey. In both cases identity papers are returned to the person at the airport prior to their departure.
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