Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2017
35. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the annual numbers and percentages of successful applications for asylum seekers following first interview for their applications; the percentages of successful initial applications there are by individual interviewer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7643/17]
View answerApplications for refugee status and subsidiary protection were until 30 December, 2016, investigated by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC). On 31 December, 2016 the International Protection Act 2015 was commenced. The Act has introduced a single application procedure within our international protection process bringing Ireland in line with other EU States. Under the single procedure, an applicant will make one application, and will have all grounds for seeking international protection and to be permitted to remain in the State examined and determined in one process. On commencement of the Act, the International Protection Office replaced the ORAC as the refugee determining body.
All applicants for international protection are interviewed and their cases assessed by experienced caseworkers (formerly ORAC staff) on the basis of the circumstances of the individual case and having regard to both the subjective elements (the applicant's own account or personal history) and objective elements (up-to-date information on the applicant's country or place of origin). Supporting documentation submitted by applicants is also taken into account.
Country of Origin information is obtained from a variety of legitimate sources such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), Amnesty International and other NGOs, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), the US State Department and the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board.
In 2016 some 2,644 applications for asylum at first instance were processed by ORAC. 16.8% (444) of these received positive recommendations. The corresponding figures for 2015 and 2014 respectively were 1,231 of which 12.3% (152) received positive recommendations (2015); and 1,023 of which 12.9% (132) received positive recommendations (2014).
Statistics in respect of the percentage of successful initial applications by individual interviewer are not kept.
