Deportation Orders

Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Questions (158)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

158. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will reconsider the decision made by her Department to deport a family (details supplied) in view of the fact that the family is in a vulnerable situation, in particular their five-year old child who was born here; if her attention has been drawn to the inadequate supports that were available to the family at the time they signed the deportation order, their current lack of finances and that their travel documents are still being held by the Department; if she is of the view that it would be better for them and for the State that they leave voluntarily as opposed to a deportation order. [26233/14]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the persons referred to by the Deputy are a family unit who have all consented to deportation. The precise arrangements are being made for the various family members and these are expected to be finalised in the near future. I am also advised that one of the adult members of this family unit has recently been before the Irish courts, having been charged with offences pursuant to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. The person in question was convicted on all charges and has received a suspended sentence and a financial penalty.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.