Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 November 2019
140. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons that received a decision from the International Protection Appeals Tribunal declaring them to be a refugee that have not received such a declaration; the length of time in months persons are awaiting such a declaration; the reason for the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46767/19]
View answerI should inform the Deputy that a decision letter from the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is not in itself a decision in relation to the grant or refusal of international protection. It is rather a decision of an appeal against a recommendation of the International Protection Office (IPO) to refuse an application for international protection.
There are currently some 140 cases which have received a positive decision from the IPAT. The average time taken in 2019 for ministerial grants to issue following an IPAT decision is 4 months. It is necessary for my Department to carry out the due diligence on each recommendation, before a formal grant letter can issue from my Department granting refugee or subsidiary protection status. The process involves certain checks in relation to each case, which may include identity checks. The average time can be distorted by some more complex cases that take somewhat longer to process.
I can assure the Deputy that applicants receive a ministerial decision in relation to their international protection applications as soon as possible following a decision of the IPAT.
