Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 1

Written Answers. - Refugee Status.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

429 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 343 of 29 May 2001, he has received the recommendation from the refugee applications commissioner or the refugee appeals tribunal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; his views on whether 18 months is an unacceptable length of time to leave an applicant waiting; if he will review the procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19974/01]

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

The Deputy will be aware that, under the Refugee Act, 1996, as amended, which was commenced in full on 20 November 2000, responsibility for processing asylum applications at first instance lies with the Refugee Applications Commissioner and with the Refugee Appeals Tribunal for appeals. A final decision on any given case can only be made by me upon receipt of a recommendation from the relevant body. I understand from the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner that the applicant in question was interviewed in May 2001 and that a recommendation is expected shortly.

With regard to time-scales for processing asylum applications, I would point out that following the sanction of significant additional staff resources for the asylum and immigration areas of my Department, most of which have now been recruited, a comprehensive asylum strategy is now in place which is aimed at greatly increasing processing capacity to deliver more speedy decisions in relation to applications for refugee status leading to the completion to finality of the processing of all new asylum applications within a six month period; the processing of the asylum applications currently on hands as soon as possible; and dealing with the increased numbers of repatriations which are expected to arise in respect of persons who do not qualify for refugee status. The major impact of this strategy will be progressively in evidence from the autumn onwards.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

430 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 142 of 10 May 2001, he will indicate the progress in relation to an application by a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; if this person's application for status can be expedited; the date of his original application; the time it normally takes to process such applications; his views on whether the delays being experienced are acceptable; if a more efficient time-frame can be achieved; and if those applicants with qualifications or particular skills in demand in the workforce will be expedited. [19975/01]

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

The Deputy will be aware that under the Refugee Act, 1996, as amended, which was commenced in full on 20 November 2000, responsibility for processing asylum applications at first instance lies with the Refugee Applications Commissioner and with the Refugee Appeals Tribunal for appeals. Both bodies are independent in the exercise of their functions under the 1996 Act. A final decision on any particular application can only be made by me upon receipt of a recommendation from the relevant body.

From information made available to me by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, I understand that the initial application from the applicant in question was received in March 2000. The applicant was interviewed in May 2001 and a recommendation is expected shortly. The primary statutory function of the Refugee Applications Commissioner is the fair and equitable investigation of applications from those who seek a declaration of refugee status and to issue appropriate recommendations to me. The investigation and assessment of an applicant's particular skills in relation to demand in the workforce is not part of the commissioner's remit.

The current processing time for asylum applications at first application stage, that is, from application to interview to recommendation, generally takes between three to 19 months depending on whether the applicant is scheduled for interview immediately as a new arrival or is part of other outstanding applications. With regard to timescales for processing asylum applications, I would point out that following the sanctioning of significant additional staff resources for the asylum and immigration areas of my Department, most of which have now been recruited, a comprehensive asylum strategy is now in place which is aimed at greatly increasing processing capacity to deliver more speedy decisions in relation to applications for refugee status leading to the completion to finality of the processing of all new asylum applications within a six month period; the processing of the asylum applications currently on hands as soon as possible; and dealing with the increased numbers of repatriations which are expected to arise in respect of persons who do not qualify for refugee status. The major impact of this strategy will be progressively in evidence from the autumn onwards.