New laws to simplify applying for refugee status published

New laws have been published to simplify the process of applying for refugee status in Ireland.

The International Protection Bill will create a single application process, replacing the system currently in place.

It follows a working group earlier this year which suggested the change as one way to improve conditions in direct provision centres.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has said it will ensure greater protection for those who deserve refugee status, while also working more quickly to identify those who are not entitled to stay.

“The Bill now provides us with the legislative means to reform the current multi-layered and sequential system,” Minister Fitzgerald said.

“The introduction of the single procedure, together with other reforms in the proposed International Protection Bill, will allow us to efficiently grant international protection to those who are entitled to it.

“At the same time, it will identify, at a much earlier stage, persons who have no entitlement to stay in the State and who can safely return to their country of origin.”