15,000 applied for refugee status last year

New figures show that a record number of new refugee applications have been lodged in Ireland.

More than 15,000 were handed in last year.

However, only 900 were approved. During application procedures, only 52 % attended.

The Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner says this a "continuing problem".

The second annual report by the office shows last year had the highest number yet.

The top four countries from which applications were received were Nigeria (34.8%), Romania (14.4%), Moldova (4.6%) and Zimbabwe (3.1%).