Asylum Applications.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004

Thursday, 30 September 2004

Ceisteanna (237)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

238 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Togolese asylum seekers and convention refugees in the State; the percentage of positive first instance decisions on Togolese refugee claims each year since 2000; the percentage of negative decisions in Togolese asylum cases that proceeded to appeal each year since 2000; the percentage of negative decisions in Togolese refugee claims overturned on appeal each year since 2000; the Government’s policy with respect to returning failed asylum seekers to Togo; and the country specific factors he takes into account when reviewing Togolese humanitarian and compassionate applications. [23166/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The numbers of asylum applications received from nationals of Togo over the past four years to date are as follows:

2000	2001	2002	2003	2004 (31/8)	Total
38	24	70	41	15	188

As at 31 August 2004 some 25 Togolese cases were pending recommendation/decision in the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and 20 in the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Fifty-eight Togolese asylum seekers have been granted refugee status since 2000.

The percentages of positive first instance decisions on Togolese refugee claims each year since 2000 are as follows:

2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	Total
15%	50%	52%	5%	3%	22%

Please note that the recommendations above refer to the year in which the recommendation was made and not to the year the application was lodged, and calculations are based on cases processed.

Over the period 2000 to 2004, 125 applications were refused at first instance. During the same period 103 appeals were received in the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, RAT, which indicates that in the region of 82% of negative decisions proceeded to appeal stage.

The percentages of first instance decisions in respect of nationals of Togo overturned or set aside by RAT since 2000 are as follows:

2000	2001	2002	2003	2004 (31/8)	Total
0%	50%	50%	28%	16%	26%

Manifestly unfounded and Dublin Convention recommendations of the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC, set aside by the tribunal, are remitted to ORAC for further consideration.

Deportation orders are executed in respect of nationals of Togo and the usual legislative provisions apply in respect of representations made prior to such orders being made, namely, the provisions dealing with refoulement contained in section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 and the detailed criteria contained in section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999.