Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 March 2017

Wednesday, 29 March 2017

Ceisteanna (60, 61, 62)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

60. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total spend on translation services used to translate the new application form for international protection, IPO2. [15610/17]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

61. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if free online translation services were used to translate the new application form for international protection, IPO2, into any language; and if so, the languages for which a programme (details supplied) was used. [15611/17]

Clare Daly

Ceist:

62. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if persons who submitted completed application forms for international protection in the midst of confusion in February 2017 over the deadline for submission of the form, and did not, consequently, receive legal advice before submission, will be permitted to resubmit those application forms, not just submit supplementary information following receipt of legal advice. [15612/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 to 62, inclusive, together.

I am advised by the Chief International Protection Officer (CIPO) who, under the International Protection Act 2015, is independent in the performance of his functions, that translation services for the International Protection Office (IPO) of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) are provided on the basis of a public procurement process and subsequent contractual arrangements entered into between a service provider and INIS.

The current service provider, Word Perfect Translation Services Ltd, is contractually obliged to provide such services in a professional manner and in accordance with industry standards. Free online translation services are not used by the International Protection Office.

I am also advised by the CIPO that there is no strict deadline for the return of the Application for International Protection Questionnaire (IPO 2) with the timeframe mentioned being purely administrative in nature. Flexibility has been provided by the IPO to applicants in relation to the filling out of the form and its return. Clarification in this regard has been included on the IPO website and in communications between that Office and non-governmental organisations.

As has been pointed out in information issued to applicants by the IPO, supplementary information of any type relevant to a person's application can be provided to that Office up to two weeks prior to the date of an applicant's scheduled interview. This timescale will facilitate the translation of documents if required and ensure that the IPO interviewer has all of their papers available and considered in advance of the interview date. A Customer Service Centre established by the International Protection Office may be contacted by individuals with any queries.

The cost structure in the contract is based on per word charges but the final cost for the services has not yet been furnished by the supplier and accordingly no expenditure has been incurred on the translation of the Application for International Protection Questionnaire (IPO 2).