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THE NUMBER OF people applying for asylum in Ireland has fallen by more than one-third since last year, new figures from the Department of Justice show.
Some 1,250 people made applications for asylum in 2011. In 2010 the figure was 1,939.
The figures come as Minister for Justice Alan Shatter announced the launch of a new pilot project, under which border controls at Dublin airport would be manned by civilians rather than gardaí.
The flow of asylum seekers has reduced to a trickle since 2002, when 11,600 people applied for asylum in one year. The Department of Justice said this represented “the use of the asylum system by economic migrants at its peak”.
Currently 5,400 people are housed in direct provision centres in Ireland as they await decisions on their asylum applications. Some 280 failed asylum seekers were deported in 2011, along with 3,700 people who were refused entry to Ireland.
The figures also show a broader fall in the number of people from outside Europe living in Ireland. The Government estimates that approximately 130,500 non-EEA nationals currently have visas to remain in the State, down from 132,200 a year ago and 134,000 two years ago.
The largest proportion of these non-EEA nationals are from India, followed by China, Brazil, Nigeria, the Philippines and the USA.
However, there was an eight per cent rise in the number of entry visa applications in 2011. India again accounted for the largest share of these, followed by Russia, China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
The Department of Justice raised €29million from visa and permit fees in 2011.
This month, civilian staff from the Department of Justice will begin replacing gardaí at border control booths at Dublin airport. The department said this would free officers to work on “frontline policing duties”.
Commenting on the new figures, Minister Shatter said: “The immigration system can significantly aid economic activity and it is my priority that the system is utilised to the greatest extent possible in that respect.”
Good news, now can we increase deportations please…
How does deporting 1250 people solve anything. Such a small minute amount and issue. You probably elected one local politician and a Councillor who have done more damage economically.
I know trough experience that asylum seekers who break the law are not being deported and this should be tackled.
Lot more than 1250 bogus asylum seekers here. I have no issue with someone genuine but anyone who tries to decieve the authorities or is here purely for the gravy, out you go. Why there isn’t proper detention centres here is beyond me for these fraudsters….
Spot on Gerard M & Rocky D.
They must have discovered a better “Gravy Train” although hard to think where.
“Asylum Seekers” my a$$.
Anybody genuine is welcome but I am afraid huge amount are not genuine.
They have to fight their case and if it’s not worthy they have to go home, asylum is for and should only be for people escaping a situation where they need protection, not for people who want to have a better standard of life on the back of the Irish tax payer.
This is not racist as I am it at any man or woman from any background in any nation.
Oops, aim*
As a matter of international law, a person seeking international protection can seek that protection in whatever country they wish to, and can, reach.
If I was fleeing persecution, I probably wouldn’t go to an economic basket case either.
Within the EU, under the Dublin Agreement a person must seek asylum in their *first* county of arrival.
Therefore most asylum seekers arriving in Ireland are already bogus as they have slipped through an immigration net in another EU country
@ DubInNaas: That’s a curious mis-interpretation of the Dublin II Regulations.
Really Joan?
Can you point me to a specific reference which supports your argument please.
@ DubInNaas: Direct flights to Dublin.
Joan,
Generally a request for a specific reference needs to fulfill two conditions;
1-it should be specific
2-it should be a reference
@ DubInNaas: Gosh, you’ve got me there! Or perhaps you don’t understand how DRII operates.
“failed asylum seekers” . Such a horrible phrase. I hope I’m not in their position one day.
I feel there is no point in posting a comment as it will just be removed as most others have been.
So much for free speech, expression & opinion, Ter. I know thejournal.ie has a comments policy, but leeway ought to be given. Especially on a hot topic like this one.
Hot topic eh? Same of drivel every time Declan…
This reduction in asylum claims indicates nothing except perhaps the level of genuine applications we should expect.
It does not prove a drop off the levels of illegal economic migrants , who now have much simpler ways of getting themselves into Ireland / Europe & staying there.
Why would anyone bother getting caught up in a lengthy asylum process , where you have very little rights & are forced to live on a pittance with the constant threat of deportation
when the alternative is to get a holiday or student visa & get a sham marriage to an EU citizen & enjoy all the benefits that a spouse of an EU citizen is guaranteed ?
no worries, they will come back to claim residency based on their irish born or EU citizen kids…
Let’s just hope the thousands of Irish in London, USA, Dubai, Australia etc don’t experience some of the attitudes on display here!
There are no Irish asylum seekers in any of those countries. Any Irish people not complying with the laws of their host nation vis-à-vis leave to remain or permission to work should be detained, prosecuted and deported according to the law.
”Provisional figures indicate that approximately 83,000 entry visa applications were processed in 2011, an increase of 8% on 2010. The approval rate for entry visa applications was 91%. The top 5 nationalities applying for visas in 2011 were India (17%), Russia (14%), China (12%), Turkey (5%) and Saudi Arabia (5%).” I think these are more dangerous than asylum seekers… these are the one who are entitled to work and steal local jobs on the ground of their irish/eu national partners or kids, if they can’t find jobs irish social welfare will help them!…
You’re wrong, the Irish social welfare is *not* for any non-eu. When you get your visa you know that you can never ask for that and before you entry the country you have to prove that you have over €3,000 for your stay as a student. If you don’t find a job or if you lose yours, it’s your problem… Only EU nationals have the right to get money from social welfare. I’m here as student and I am working strictly according to the law and paying all my taxes without any right while i see europeans taking advantage of the system, why work? Thats what they say… Unfortunately where I work there’s no Irish people and they don’t even apply for cleaning, reception, bar staff etc. ok, i wouldnt do such jobs in my country… I would like to have locals around instead of eastern Europe people only, almost impossible in minimum wage positions… I really love your country and the people, never expected this to be honest, no one is stealing the jobs and never forget that Irish people emigrate as well.
I appreciate ur thoughts. apparently i need to correct what i have mentioned above. these people, if they have a kid from an EU 0r irish citizen, automatically they get right to work and SW…
Hi Rocky Dennis.
If you start deporting then who is going to fill all the job vacancies which involve minimum wage.
Looks like the Irish wont take these jobs.
What jobs ? Asylum seekers are not allowed to work while their application is being processed .
Give them to the many Irish people who have no job & if they don’t want the job, take away their welfare if on it. I’m still going in to shops, cafés with no Irish working in them. Fair play to those who come here from overseas to work, but there are still jobs there.
@manifred, asylum seekers are not working as they can’t. Plenty of the 450k unemployed, who are able to work here to take up those minimum wage jobs you speak off….
A 132 thousand non Eu are here oh my god
have your say