Tanaiste Releases New Asylum Application Numbers

New Figures Show Slight Decrease In Asylum Seekers From 2005

This represents a slight decline from the 2005 figure of 4,323, a 9.5% decrease on the 2004 figure of 4,766 and a 63% decrease on the 2002 numbers, when 11,634 applications were received.

According to the Minister, if the increased number of transfer orders last year is taken into account, then the number of asylum applications to be processed in the State in real terms fell 4,000.

The top 5 source countries for 2006 were Nigeria, Sudan, Romania, Iraq and Iran.

In 2005, the main source countries were Nigeria, Romania, Somalia, Sudan and Iran.

The new numbers show that 302 deportation orders to non-EU countries were issued in 2006 and an additional 227 persons who would otherwise have been removed from the State chose to return home voluntarily.

In 2006, a further 294 transfer orders to other EU Member States were also processed - representing a significant increase of 41% on the number for 2005 (209) and an increase of 352% on the number for 2004 (65).

The report also highlighted improvements in the asylum processing system with the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) now being in a position to schedule applicants for an interview within 9 to12 days of application.

Initial, prioritised asylum applications are now being processed within 17 to 20 working days and within 15 working days at appeal (in the Refugee Appeals Tribunal)

Commenting on the statistics the Tanaiste welcomed the continued downward trend saying that it allowed "the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service to continue to increase the priority given to other areas of its operations such as processing applications for visas and citizenship as well as other immigration related functions including the enhancement of the deportation process for persons found to have no protection needs."

The Tanaiste also said that "The year ahead will continue to pose many challenges for the State's immigration system.

"A key element of our strategy to meet these challenges is the new Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, the Scheme of which I published in September 2006 and which is being drafted at the present time for early publication.

"I am satisfied that the implementation of the new Bill when enacted together with other related developments such as the major IT projects being developed in the areas of fingerprinting, visas and case management will enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) to provide a 'one stop shop' for immigration, asylum, visas and citizenship services."

The Tanaiste also paid tribute to the Garda National Immigration Bureau for its critical operational and investigatory work in areas such as border management and illegal immigration as well as for the important enforcement work it is undertaking in effecting deportation returns and transfer orders."