Written Answers Nos. 363-382
363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current position in regard to the request to set aside a deportation order in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3100/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Immigration Service of my Department that no record of an immigration application has been found for the person referred to by the Deputy.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
364. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3101/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the person referred to has recently submitted an application for renewal of permission to remain in the State. Any additional information submitted, together with their application, will be taken into account when the application reaches examination stage.
Applications are dealt with strictly in chronological order. We are unable to provide a timeframe for completion, however the person concerned can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in finalising their case.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
365. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to the determination of eligibility for long-term residency, naturalisation or both in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3102/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy has been advised previously, for reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State.
An applicant for International Protection, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate who will provide an update.
The International Protection Office may be contacted: by email to info@ipo.gov.ie; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008; or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal may be contacted either: by email to info@protectionappeals.ie; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458); or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.
I can inform the Deputy that an applicant for international protection is awarded international protection, whether refugee status or subsidiary protection status, upon a declaration of status being issued from my Department. This is done on foot of a grant recommendation from the International Protection Office (IPO) or a decision of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to set aside a refusal recommendation of the IPO.
My Department processes the recommendations received from the International Protection Office and the decisions of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in chronological order based on the date the file is received in that Unit. Once the necessary due diligence has been carried out by the Ministerial Decisions Unit, a declaration of status will issue as soon as possible.
The Ministerial Decisions Unit operates an email service for responding to queries - mduinfo@justice.ie
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the parliamentary questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
366. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the expected outcome of applications for a visitor visa in respect of the family of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3103/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe visa application by the first-named person referred to by the Deputy was refused on 26 March 2019, for reasons outlined to the person at that time. The person concerned appealed the decision on 8 May 2019 and this will be given full consideration by a visa appeals officer.
Appeals are generally processed in the chronological order in which they are received. While every effort is made to process appeals as quickly as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume of appeals received, the resources available to process them, the individual complexity of the application and any subsequent appeal. It is not possible to indicate at this time when the appeal decision will be finalised.
In relation to the second named person referred to by the Deputy, I am informed that a visa application on behalf of the person concerned was received in the visa office Dublin on 19 August 2019. This application will be considered together with the first named person's appeal application.
Applicants can keep up to date with the current visa processing times being considered by clicking on the following link to my Department's website: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Visa%20Decisions.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
367. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent of developments in respect of residency regarding a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3104/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 11 March 2005 and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State.
Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned pursuant to Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) to revoke the Deportation Order. Following the consideration of those representations, a decision was taken that the Deportation Order should be affirmed and this decision was communicated to the person concerned by letter dated 4 April 2019.
The Deportation Order requires the person to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
368. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3105/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted to my Department on behalf of the person concerned.
These representations will be fully considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
370. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3107/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may wish to note the person concerned does not have an application for a certificate of naturalisation with my Department.
The person referred to by the Deputy was notified, by letter dated 23 January 2020, that they were being granted temporary permission to remain in the State on Stamp 4 conditions until 15 August 2022. If the person concerned has not already done so, they should bring this approval letter to their local Immigration Office to have this permission endorsed in their passport.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
371. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if appropriate residential arrangements can be made to facilitate residency here in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3123/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted to my Department on behalf of the person concerned.
These representations will be fully considered under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
372. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected residency position in respect of a person (details supplied); when the person's original passport will be returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3124/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for a certificate of naturalisation was received on behalf of the person concerned on 11 April 2019.
It should be noted that passports submitted by applicants in support of their application for a certificate of naturalisation are subject to examination and verification procedures. A possible issue was identified with the passport submitted by the person referred to by the Deputy and their legal representative has been informed of the position.
Once it is established whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation the application will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements, not only within the State but also at European Union level, and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
373. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3125/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State.
An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate.
However, I can inform the Deputy that an applicant for international protection is awarded international protection, whether refugee status or subsidiary protection status, upon a declaration of status being issued from my Department. This is done on foot of a grant recommendation from the International Protection Office (IPO) or a decision of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to set aside a refusal recommendation of the IPO.
My Department processes the recommendations received from the International Protection Office and the decisions of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in chronological order based on the date the file is received in that Unit. Once the necessary due diligence has been carried out by the Ministerial Decisions Unit, a declaration of status will issue as soon as possible.
The International Protection Office may be contacted: by email to info@ipo.gov.ie; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal may be contacted either: by email to info@protectionappeals.ie; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.
The Ministerial Decisions Unit operates an email service for responding to queries - mduinfo@justice.ie.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the parliamentary questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
374. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons applying for international protection in the past four years; the number of successful and unsuccessful applications, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3126/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has introduced a number of measures in recent years aimed at reducing the time taken to determine applications. The most significant reforming measure has been the introduction of a single application procedure under the International Protection Act 2015. Under the single procedure, all elements of a person's protection claim (refugee status, subsidiary protection status and permission to remain) are considered together rather than sequentially as heretofore.
A person who applies for international protection today can expect to receive a first instance recommendation/decision on their application within approximately 15 months, provided no complications arise. Prioritised cases are currently being processed in just over 9 months. Prioritised applications include those from especially vulnerable groups of applicants, such as unaccompanied minors and applicants from refugee generating countries like Syria and Eritrea. The International Protection Office (IPO) is working hard to try to achieve a target of 9 months in the vast majority of cases while acknowledging that the processing of applications is complex and that each application deserves and receives an individual assessment.
In addition, the IPO commenced interviews by video conference in November 2019, with applicants from the south of Ireland attending their interview in Cork. The IPO then embarked on the next stage of the project and engaged with the Courts Service to conduct interviews from video suites in courthouses, commencing with Sligo in early 2020. The first video conference interviews from Sligo courthouse took place in January 2020 and further interviews are scheduled for early March. This provides greater flexibility to meet the needs of international protection applicants who reside outside of Dublin.
In addition, I sought and achieved an additional €1m in Budget 2020 under the Justice and Equality vote which will allow for extra staffing resources to further improve processing times.
Annual statistics in respect of applications for international protection made in 2018 and 2017 (under the International Protection Act 2015) are available online from the International Protection Office at www.ipo.gov.ie.
Annual statistics in respect of applications for asylum made in 2016 (under the Refugee Act 1996) are available online on the website for the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner at www.orac.ie.
However, I set out in the following table the number of persons who have applied for International Protection under the International Protection Act 2015 and the number who were successful and unsuccessful in those years.
|
Year |
Number Applied |
Successful |
Unsuccessful |
|
2019 |
4,782 (*provisional) |
1,115 |
1,779 |
|
2018 |
3,673 |
1,041 |
545 |
|
2017 |
2,926 |
767 |
401 |
|
2016 |
2,244 |
728 |
1,432 |
* The figures provided for 2019 are provisional and are subject to change due to data cleansing.
Final decisions made by my Department relate only to decisions made in the year, not when the application was made.
The Deputy will note that there was an increase in applications in 2019 of just over 30% on applications in 2018 and an increase over the four year period of 113%.
The Department completed decisions in 82.5% more cases in 2019 over the figure in 2018.
375. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for long-term residency, naturalisation or both in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3127/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a deportation order signed on 17 February 2017. Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned requesting that the deportation order be revoked, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This request has been fully considered by my Department and the deportation order was affirmed, and notified to the person concerned, on 14 January 2020.
As the subject of a deportation order, the person concerned is required to present at the offices of the Garda National Immigration Bureau, to make arrangements for their deportation from the State. The person concerned is due to present next on 19 March 2020. The enforcement of the order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
As the person concerned holds no permission to remain in the State, they would not meet the requirements for naturalisation or long term residency.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
376. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3128/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person concerned on 22 October 2019.
This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. If any further documentation is required, it will be requested from the person in due course.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements, not only within the State but also at European Union level, and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
Queries in relation to the status of any immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
377. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to an application for naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3129/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received applications for certificates of naturalisation from the first and fourth named persons referred to by the Deputy in May 2019. The processing of these applications is still on-going and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. If further documentation is required, it will be requested from the applicants in due course.
An application for a certificate of naturalisation, received on 25 September 2017 from the second person referred to by the Deputy, was deemed ineligible on 23 January 2018 as the applicant did not meet the residency criteria at the time of application. It is open to the person concerned to lodge a new application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements applicable at that time of application.
An application for a Stamp 5 Without Condition As To Time endorsement was received from the third person referred to by the Deputy on 1 May 2019. The processing of this application is ongoing. Some cases, for a broad range of reasons, will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
378. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3130/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for a certificate of naturalisation in relation to the person referred to by the Deputy is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. If any further documentation is required, it will be requested from the person in due course.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements, not only within the State but also at European Union level, and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
379. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to residency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3131/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed that my Department has no record of receiving immigration applications from the persons referred to by the Deputy.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is , in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
380. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to the eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3132/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to continues to be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. If further documentation is required, it will be requested from the applicant in due course.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. For this reason, it is important that the applicant ensures that his or her contact details, including current address, is notified to the Citizenship division of the Department's Immigration Service.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
381. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3133/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that I have approved the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person concerned. The individual referred to was due to attend the citizenship ceremony held on 3 March 2020.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
382. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or likely position in respect of long-term residency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3134/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that representations have been received from the person referred to, pursuant to Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) requesting that the Deportation Order be revoked in their case. These representations will be given full consideration. It is not possible to provide a definitive time-frame within which a particular application will be decided. The person referred to can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in having their case brought to finality.
A decision will be made to either "affirm" or "revoke" the existing Deportation Order. This decision will be communicated in writing. In the meantime, the Deportation Order remains valid and in place. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the Immigration Services is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
