I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that detailed annual statistics in respect of the information requested by the Deputy for 2014 is published in the annual report of the Office of the Refugee Information Commissioner (ORAC). This information is available on the ORAC website www.orac.ie. While the data for 2015 is not yet finalised, similar information up to the end of November 2015 is also available on the website.
There was a 126% increase in asylum applications in 2015 compared to 2014.
There has been a marked increase in the number of applications from countries in southern Asia, in particular from Pakistan and Bangladesh over the 2 year period. I am concerned about this trend and potential abuses of the Common Travel Area.