John Deasy
Question:297 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of deportations of asylum seekers in 2002 and to date in 2003. [17217/03]
Written Answers. - Deportation Orders.
John Deasy
Question:298 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to the State involved in the deportation of asylum seekers in 2002 and to date in 2003. [17218/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together.
Asylum seekers have a right of temporary residence in the State while their applications are being processed and are not considered for deportation unless their applications are refused or they are transferred to another EU State pursuant to the Dublin Convention to have their asylum applications processed there.
Section 3(2) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, allows the Minister to make deportation orders in respect of nine categories of person. These include asylum seekers who have failed in their applications or asylum seekers whose applications are being transferred under the Dublin Convention. Separate statistics on the different categories are not maintained by my Department but the vast majority of deportations are in respect of failed asylum seekers.
The number of deportations effected by the Garda National Immigration Bureau in 2002 and to date in 2003 and their associated flight costs are as follows:
|
No. of Deportations |
Costs € |
|
|
2002 |
521 |
1,816,314 |
|
2003 to 30/05/03 |
222 |
628,158 |
This includes the flight costs of deportees and garda escorts but not garda overtime or subsistence payments.