Alan Kelly
Question:919. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice how many letter notices pursuant to section 40 of the International Protection Act 2015 were issued in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. [12424/24]
View answerWednesday, 20 March 2024
Questions (919, 920, 921)
Alan Kelly
Question:920. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice how many letters, enclosing notices pursuant to section 40 of the International Protection Act 2015 were sent by way of registered post in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. [12425/24]
View answerAlan Kelly
Question:921. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice how many registered letters, enclosing notices pursuant to section 40 of the International Protection Act 2015 were returned to the IPO in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. [12426/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 919 to 921, 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 to rebuild their lives here are given status, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria.
All letters enclosing notices pursuant to Section 40 of the International Protection Act 2015 are currently notified by means of registered post from the IPO. The table below details the number of notices issued in the relevant calendar years.
|
Year |
No. of Notices Issued |
|
2021 |
2,387 |
|
2022 |
4,337 |
|
2023 |
8,074 |
|
Total |
14,798 |
Recent changes in the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023, which amended the International Protection Act 2015, will complement a programme of digitalisation of IPO processes. Communication with applicants who have given their consent will increasingly be done by electronic means. As a consequence, there is likely to be a corresponding drop in the number of letters sent by registered post.
The Department of Justice does not maintain records which would readily identify the number of registered letters which were issued pursuant to Section 40(1) of the Act and subsequently returned to the IPO.
Question No. 920 answered with Question No. 919.
Question No. 921 answered with Question No. 919.