Vol. 548 No. 2
356 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) failed to be compliant with obligations in the asylum process and incurred disqualification from the provisions of the Government decisions of 26 July 1999 on the right to work for certain asylum applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4318/02]
As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 935, 943, 947, 951 and 1035 of 30 January 2002, under the terms of the Government decision of 26 July 1999, the person in question is ineligible to work as he has not been compliant with his obligations as an asylum seeker. These obligations were clearly set out in the information leaflet for applicants for refugee status in Ireland which issued to all asylum seekers. Each applicant is, inter alia, informed that he or she may not leave the State without permission while the application is under consideration. I am informed that the applicant failed to comply with this obligation, and accordingly, he was not entitled to avail of the right to work arrangements under the Government decision of July 1999.
357 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for asylum by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4319/02]
Under the Refugee Act, 1996, two independent statutory offices were established to consider applications and appeals for refugee status and make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. These offices are the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, which considers applications for a declaration as a refugee at first instance, and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which considers applications for a declaration at appeal stage. A decision on the application in question will be made upon receipt of the recommendation of the Refugee Applications Commissioner or the Refugee Appeals Tribunal as appropriate.
358 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for asylum by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4320/02]
The person in question entered the State on 8 November 1999, and claimed asylum. His claim was refused and he was informed of this decision on 8 June 2000. He appealed this decision but this appeal was refused. On 8 November 2000, a letter issued informing him that it was proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him and giving him the options of 15 working days to make written representations setting out any reasons as to why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; to leave the State before a decision whether or not to order his deportation is taken; or to consent to the making of a deportation order. Representations were received as to why he should be allowed remain in the State. I expect the case file in relation to the person in question to be submitted to me for decision shortly.
