Vol. 560 No. 1
800 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the immigration section of his Department will release documentation to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27051/02]
The person in question arrived at Dublin Airport on 22 December 2001 and was refused entry as he was in possession of a forged identity document. He subsequently sought asylum in the State and was referred to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. He was subsequently granted refugee status. There is no record either in Dublin Airport immigration, the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner or my Department of the documentation to which the Deputy refers having been obtained from the person in question.
801 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will establish direct lines of communication for professional people dealing with the immigration section of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27119/02]
The immigration and citizenship division of my Department endeavours to provide a quality service to all its customers. To that end and following the relocation of the division to new premises late last year a new telephone system was installed with a view to improving access to the division. Telephone callers to the division on either 01-6167700 or lo-call 1890 551 500 reach an automated message service outlining several options depending on the nature of the query and an option to speak directly with a switchboard operator.
There are a number of helplines in operation which can be accessed through either of the above numbers within their respective hours of operation. These helplines and their respective hours of operation are as follows. Visa queries are dealt with on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. General immigration queries are dealt with daily from 9.30 a.m. to 1p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Citizenship queries are dealt with on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
