Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
513. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the average and mean processing times for prioritised applications under section 73 of the International Protection Act 2015, to date in 2023; a breakdown of the recognition rates for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23280/23]
View answerMy Department is committed to reducing processing times for international protection applicants and is taking steps to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible.
The approach to prioritisation of cases, as provided for under Section 73 of the International Protection Act 2015, is agreed with UNHCR Ireland and is published on the International Protection Office website. Prioritisation relates solely to the scheduling of interviews with applicants and does not pre-determine any recommendation to be made in individual cases. Prioritisation, as allowed under section 73 of the International Protection Act 2015, is subject to the need for fairness and efficiency in dealing with applications for international protection.
From 14 June 2021, a new statement of prioritisation, agreed with UNHCR, came into effect. Scheduling of interviews will occur under two processing streams to run concurrently:
1. Oldest cases first; and
2. The following criteria:
• Age of applicant - unaccompanied minors, aged-out unaccompanied minors and applications aged 70 years or older and who are not part of a family group.
• Applications that are likely well-founded based on a medico-legal report;
• Applications that are likely well-founded based on the country of origin or habitual residence of the applicant in respect of applicants from: Syria, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen; and
• Health grounds - where certified by a medical consultant.
I can advise the Deputy that the median processing times for all prioritised cases in 2022 was 11 months. The processing times for cases in quarter 4 of 2022 was 9 months for prioritised cases. The median processing time for all prioritised cases processed to completion in quarter 1 of 2023 was 8 months. Median figures are collated rather than an average, as cases with unusually long or short processing times can skew the data. The median figure is more representative of the typical processing time.
My Department does not maintain statistics in a manner that would provide a detailed breakdown of recognition rates for recommendations sorted by country of origin.
Overall, my Department is working to minimise the timeframe for receiving a decision on an international protection application, allowing those eligible to remain the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Those who are not entitled to the protection of the State will also be advised of that fact as quickly as possible.
