Refugee Status.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Questions (551)

Denis Naughten

Question:

610 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time to process travel documents, 1951 convention travel documents, issued to persons granted a declaration of refugee status here under section 17(1) Refugee Act 1996 and programme refugees; the average waiting time to process temporary travel documents that may issue in specific emergency circumstances; the number of applications awaiting a decision; the number received, approved and rejected in 2009; the steps he is taking to expedite the processing time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1569/10]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern)

I am informed by the Immigration Services Section of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that applications for Travel Documents are currently taking 5-6 weeks to process on receipt of fully completed applications.

Applications are dealt with as quickly as possible having regard to the nature of the application and overall resources across the full range of services provided by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. At the end of December 2009 there were 59 applications on hand awaiting decision.

The table outlines the figures for the past 12 months in respect of applications processed by the Travel Document Unit.

Month	Received 2009	Approved 2009	Refused 2009
	1951 Convention Travel Document	Temporary Travel Document	1951 Convention Travel Document	Temporary Travel Document	1951 Convention Travel Document	Temporary Travel Document
JAN	284	128	296	55	0	54
FEB	315	161	267	60	0	85
MAR	447	117	407	40	0	65
APR	505	195	574	25	1	177
MAY	495	99	330	23	0	82
JUN	619	217	513	105	3	19
JUL	539	247	680	256	0	14
AUG	345	158	418	111	0	43
SEP	292	122	355	72	0	145
OCT	352	77	337	51	4	65
NOV	395	116	412	51	6	69
DEC	293	153	283	47	1	31
Overall	4,881	1,790	4,872	896	15	849