Significant rise in number of deportations

THERE has been a significant rise in the number of deportations carried out so far this year compared with last year, according to new statistics.

In the first four months of 2004, 275 deportations have been carried out, compared with 590 for the whole of 2003.

The figures are even more marked given that the number of deportation orders signed so far this year have fallen 751, compared with 2,411 for all of 2003.

Statistics from the Department of Justice show there were:

2,430 deportation orders signed in 2002, 521 of which were effected (21% of the total).

2,411 orders were signed in 2003, 590 of which were carried out (24%).

751 orders have been signed to the end of April 2004, 275 of which have been carried out (37%).

Figures from the Office of Refugee Applications Commissioner show the number of people applying for asylum continues to drop dramatically.

There were 11,634 applications in 2002, 7,900 in 2003 and only 1,633 in the first four months of this year. This marks a 50% drop on the first four months of 2003, when 3,485 applications were received.

Of these applications, 893 people were granted refugee status in 2002 and 345 in 2003. Some 142 people have been given refugee status so far in 2004, representing nearly 9% of all applications.

Figures from the Refugee Appeals Tribunal show that a large percentage of those that were refused refugee status succeed on appeal.

Of the 1,438 applications to 30 April 2004, 300 were given refugee status (21% of the total). Altogether, 442 out of the 1,633 applicants have been granted refugee status so far this year - 27% of all applicants.

The statistics also show that, of those who failed their appeal, 103 applied to the Minister for Justice for leave to remain. Some 51 were granted leave to remain: 31 on grounds of marriage to an Irish national, ten were dependants of an EU citizen and ten on humanitarian grounds.

Figures compiled by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees show Ireland is ranked 9th out of 19 industrialised countries for the number of asylum applications per head of population.

Commenting on the figures, Labour Party justice spokesman Joe Costello said January to February 2003 was the last time asylum applications rose. "Since then there has been a steady, and sharp, decrease in applicants. This is because of a number of things, including the measures taken by the Minister for Justice and a decrease all over the EU."

He said the dramatic fall in our asylum figures countered some of the arguments made by Justice Minister Michael McDowell in proposing the citizenship referendum this Friday.

"One of his arguments was the sheer number of asylum seekers coming here pregnant. That was his argument when he looked at this in autumn 2002 after he met with the masters of the maternity hospitals. Whatever basis that argument had then, it has none now."