Alan Kelly
Question:907. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice how many external service providers, engaged in section 35(12) interviews, the IPO had available to it in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. [12412/24]
View answerWednesday, 20 March 2024
Questions (907, 908, 909, 910, 911)
Alan Kelly
Question:908. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice how many external service providers, were engaged in fewer than five section 35(12) interviews in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. [12413/24]
View answerAlan Kelly
Question:909. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice how many external service providers, were engaged in between five and ten section 35(12) interviews in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. [12414/24]
View answerAlan Kelly
Question:910. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice how many external service providers, were engaged in between 10 and 15 section 35(12) interviews in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. [12415/24]
View answerAlan Kelly
Question:911. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice how many external service providers, were engaged in 15 or more section 35(12) interviews in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. [12416/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 907 to 911, inclusive, together.
My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times.
In July last year, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for international protection applicants. This will ensure those who are entitled to international protection are given status to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria.
As part of the modernisation programme, one of the priority areas of focus for the IPO was to recruit both civil servants and panel members, to increase the capacity to process cases. The complex nature of the International Protection Act 2015 and the consideration of international protection applications requires in-depth training and the IPO works closely with the UNHCR and the EUAA in developing and delivering this training to its staff and panel members. The IPO therefore has a comprehensive training programme in place for all caseworkers and panel members involved in interviewing applicants and considering international protection applications.
In 2023, 159 new Panel Members were recruited, bringing the total number to 207. Many of these new members are currently completing training and beginning to undertake interviews. Others are still completing training. Payments to panel members are based on the number of reports completed to the necessary standard.
In addition to the increase in panel members staffing in the International Protection Office is also increasing, to more 400 staff, an increase of 95% over 2022.
This increase in capacity is already having a positive impact. The IPO made 2,482 first instance determinations in 2021, 4,323 in 2022, 9,000 in 2023 and are confident of delivering over 14,000 decisions this year.
Statistics are not maintained in relation to the information sought by the Deputy. To be of assistance, however, the following data has been extracted from IPO records, but should be considered operational and subject to adjustment. The information provided reflects both the part time nature of the role, and also the fact that newly appointed panel members are gradually being assigned cases as they become fully proficient in their roles.
|
Number of external service providers who were engaged in Section 35 personal interviews |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Engaged in fewer than 5 Section 35(12) interviews |
6 |
1 |
14 |
|
Engaged in between 5 and 10 Section 35(12) interviews |
6 |
2 |
9 |
|
Engaged in between 10 and 15 Section 35(12) interviews |
9 |
3 |
5 |
|
Engaged in more than 15 Section 35(12) interviews |
37 |
46 |
63 |
|
TOTAL number of external service providers who were engaged in Section 35 personal interviews |
58 |
52 |
91 |
Question No. 908 answered with Question No. 907.
Question No. 909 answered with Question No. 907.
Question No. 910 answered with Question No. 907.
Question No. 911 answered with Question No. 907.