The information requested is contained in the following tables which will be circulated to Deputies:
Table 1: Number of asylum applications received and the number of recommendations by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner to grant refugee status at first instance in 2002, 2003 and 2004.**
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004*
|
|
No. of applications received
|
11,634
|
7,900
|
4,336
|
|
No. of recommendations to grant refugee status (at first instance)
|
893
|
345
|
388
|
*As at 30/11/04.
**It is assumed that the reference in the Deputy's question to "Refugee Appeals Commission" refers to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner.
Table 2: Number of appeals submitted to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and the number upheld at appeal stage in 2002, 2003 and 2004.*
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004*
|
|
No. of appeals received**
|
5,159
|
5,014
|
4,146
|
|
No. of appeals upheld (granted refugee status)**
|
1,099
|
831
|
607
|
*As at 31/10/04.
**Substantive and accelerated cases.
Table 3: Number of deportation orders signed and number effected in 2002, 2003 and 2004.*
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004*
|
|
No. of deportation orders signed
|
2,442
|
2,415
|
2,445**
|
|
No. of deportation orders effected
|
521
|
590
|
456***
|
*As at 31/10/04.
**In addition to the 2,445 deportation orders signed, there have also been 185 Dublin II Regulation transfer orders signed.
***In addition to the 456 deportation orders effected, there have also been 33 Dublin II Regulation transfers effected.
Table 4: Number of applications for leave to remain received from current or former asylum applicants.
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004*
|
|
No. of applications received
|
6,887
|
1,272
|
236**
|
*As at 31/10/04.
**In the context of proposed deportation orders under the Immigration Act 1999, the issue of leave to remain on humanitarian grounds is considered, irrespective of whether an application is made. Thus, no statistics are kept as to the number of such applications made.
Table 5: Number of applications granted for leave to remain by category.
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004*
|
|
Parentage of Irish-born child
|
3,113
|
172
|
0
|
|
Marriage to an Irish national
|
86
|
132
|
112
|
|
Dependant of EEA national
|
138
|
77
|
98
|
|
Humanitarian grounds
|
159
|
83
|
54
|
|
Total
|
3,496
|
464
|
264
|
*As at 31/10/04
It is not often we have important sports people in the Visitors Gallery but the former Glasgow Celtic goalkeeper, Tommy Lally, from Galway is there and we welcome him and his colleagues from Galway.
