The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Zimbabwean asylum applications is set out in tabular format.
Asylum Applications Received from Zimbabwean Nationals — 2006 to 2008 (31/5)
Year
|
No. of asylum applications received from Zimbabwean Nationals
|
2006
|
77
|
2007
|
87
|
2008 (31/5)
|
40
|
Recommendations to Grant and Refuse Refugee Status to Zimbabwean Nationals at First Instance — 2006 to 2008 (31/5)
Year
|
Recommendations to Grant Refugee Status to Zimbabwean nationals at First Instance
|
Recommendations to Refuse Refugee Status to Zimbabwean nationals at First Instance
|
2006
|
11
|
56
|
2007
|
11
|
70
|
2008 (31/5)
|
*
|
37
|
* Figures less than 10 are not included due to confidentiality reasons.
Recommendations to Grant and Refuse Refugee Status to Zimbabwean Nationals at Appeal Stage — 2006 to 2008 (31/5)
Year
|
Recommendations to Grant Refugee Status to Zimbabwean nationals at Appeal Stage
|
Recommendations to Refuse Refugee Status to Zimbabwean nationals at Appeal Stage
|
2006
|
*
|
21
|
2007
|
10
|
26
|
2008 (31/5)
|
*
|
*
|
As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted.
A final decision on each application is made following receipt of the recommendation of the Refugee Applications Commissioner or the decision of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, as appropriate.
The criteria for determining refugee status arise from the definition of a "refugee" as set out in Section 2, of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), which states: ""a refugee" means a person who, owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his or her former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it."
Every application for refugee status is considered on its own merits.