Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2023
601. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of cultural mediators employed at the International Protection Office; to outline their role and remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15419/23]
View answerSeeking international protection is a human right and all international protection applications are examined fully and individually on their merits, including those from countries which are designated as safe countries of origin. My Department's objective is to ensure that applications are dealt with fairly and efficiently within the framework of Ireland's international obligations.
The Deputy can be assured that the protection of the rights and well-being of all applicants to the International Protection Office (IPO) is among my Department’s highest priorities. The State’s current process for assessing international protection claims was designed with multiple safeguards to give applicants every opportunity for having their claims advanced.
On November 8 2022, the IPO introduced accelerated procedures for international protection applicants from safe countries of origin, designed to support our fair and efficient rules-based system. An applicant from a safe country of origin is afforded the opportunity to submit grounds, in writing and/or at interview, as to why their country is not safe for them and those grounds are given due consideration. Furthermore, all applicants have the right to appeal a negative recommendation by the IPO to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT)
As part of this new procedure, to assist our customers in completing their application, the IPO partnered with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a respected UN body, to provide cultural mediators to assist applicants in completing application forms and provide support and information in respect of the protection system in Ireland.
Cultural mediators independently assist and support the applicant in the process. This is complementary to the provision of formal legal advice offered to applicants who are encouraged to seek legal assistance at any stage of their application. Applicants are also provided with the necessary interpretation supports at each stage of the process.
Cultural mediators support customers through the application procedure in the language of their choice, while identifying any signs of vulnerability, including unaccompanied minors, victims of domestic or gender-based and/or sexual violence and human trafficking. They are also expert in national identity document verification.
Legal advice and representation, where required, for people in the international protection process in Ireland is provided by the independent Legal Aid Board.
Presently, there are 12 Cultural Mediators employed at the IPO.
