Refugee applications down 8% last year

The number of people applying for political asylum in Ireland fell by around 8% last year, according to figures published today by the Refugee Applications Commissioner.

In his annual report for 2005, the commissioner says 4,323 people sought asylum during the year, a decrease of more than 400 on the figures for 2004.

He says the processing of applications was also speedier than in previous years, with the number of pending cases almost halved by the end of 2005.

Elsewhere, the report shows that applications to reunite families increased by more than 70% in 2005, while the number of asylum claims from people who have already applied in another country was also up on the figures for 2004.