The information sought by the Deputy regarding female asylum seekers who have arrived in Ireland is set out below. The Deputy will wish to note that the statistics provided are approximate figures only. In relation to the additional information requested by the Deputy regarding children and male relatives associated with these applications, I am advised that this information is not readily available to my Department.
During the period 1 January 1992 to 30 June 2007, approximately 31,278 applications for refugee status were received in the State from female applicants. The Deputy may wish to note that some 23,328 of these female applicants were 18 years or over at the time of application. The marital status of these applicants at the time of application is set out in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Marital status of female applicants 18 years or over at the time of application
Divorced
|
Married
|
Separated
|
Single
|
Widowed
|
No Data Received
|
Total
|
401
|
14,891
|
250
|
6,377
|
689
|
720
|
23,328
|
The majority of the remaining 7,950 female applicants under 18 years are either separated children or included in the applications of their parents. Table 2 illustrates the marital status of these applicants at the time of application.
Table 2: Marital status of female applicants under 18 years at the time of application
Divorced
|
Married
|
Separated
|
Single
|
Widowed
|
No Data Received
|
Total
|
2
|
193
|
9
|
6,496
|
2
|
1,248
|
7,950
|