Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 1

Written Answers. - Crime Levels.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

207 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of charges and convictions in the past two years against non-nationals and specifically against those who are considered refugees or asylum seekers; the breakdown of the cases under the categories fraud, motor offences, assault and theft; if these charges are taken into account when an asylum case is being considered; if the figures are in proportion to the number of non-nationals by country; if they are a concern to the Garda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25670/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested is not readily available as the nationality and asylum-refugee status of an offender is not recorded. The information could only be collated by making an inquiry in respect of each individual offender throughout the State, which would, as the Deputy will appreciate, involve a disproportionate expenditure of staff time and resources.

In relation to an application for asylum, I can inform the Deputy that there are circumstances where convictions for a serious criminal offence could have implications for an asylum seeker, but to date such a circumstance has not been encountered by my Department.