Liz McManus
Ceist:195 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 97 of 7 May 1998, the new procedures, if any, established for the renewal of asylum seekers' identity cards. [16620/98]
Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.
The process of setting up special procedures for the renewal of identity cards for asylum seekers is almost complete. These procedures will involve the replacement on a phased basis of individual lD cards which will incorporate a digitised photograph and essential details about the holder. The cards will incorporate new security features to minimise the risk of falsification. Rather than bringing very large numbers of asylum seekers together on one or two days they will be photographed over the next six months in smaller groups this should ensure that asylum seekers will not have to undergo avoidable inconvenience when identity cards are next being issued.
My Department has placed advertisements in all national newspapers and certain main provincial papers advising asylum seekers that the cards that were due to expire on 30 June 1998 are to be extended automatically and are now valid until 31 December 1998. In addition, the Garda Commissioner, the Department of Social, Family and Community Affairs, all health board offices, the Irish Refugee Council, UNHCR, banks and post offices have been informed of these procedures. Once the procedures are in place new replacement cards will be issued on a phased basis by 31 December 1998.