M. J. Nolan
Question:483 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications currently being processed by his Department for persons seeking asylum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18407/03]
Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.
The number of asylum applications currently being processed by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC, and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, RAT, as at 31 May 2003 is 7,654. At the end of May 2003, only 1,800 of these applications were on hands for more than six months the majority of which are at an advanced stage of processing.
M. J. Nolan
Question:484 Mr. Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the country of origin of the majority of persons seeking asylum here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18408/03]
The main source countries for persons seeking asylum in Ireland in 2003 are Nigeria and Romania. The top five source countries for 2003 up to 31 May 2003 are shown in the following table:
2003 (31/5)
|
Country of Origin |
Number of Applicants |
As % of overall applicants |
|
1st: Nigeria |
1,663 |
40.7 |
|
2nd: Romania |
484 |
11.8 |
|
3rd: Moldova |
140 |
3.4 |
|
4th: D.R. Congo |
139 |
3.4 |
|
5th: Ghana |
124 |
3.0 |