Reform of Refugee Appeals System Needed
It was revealed today (4/04/11) that the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT) cost the state over €3 million in 2009 and 2010 in appeals cases. Asylum seekers use RAT when their applications for asylum have been refused by ORAC – the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner.
Killian Forde, newly appointed CEO of The Integration Centre said, “The critical issue here is that ORAC currently refuses 98% of asylum claims. The European norm for acceptance is 25%. It is clear that Ireland is refusing legitimate asylum seekers refugee status leaving them no other recourse but to apply to RAT”.
“With this increase in rejections at first instance, the €3 million cost recorded in 2009 and 2010 for appeals will be increased upon in 2011 & 2012.”
“The Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has pledged to reform the system and deliver a single appeals procedure. We encourage the Minister to prioritise this before the human and economic cost escalates any further.”
The current system is such that applicants are sometimes forced to wait more than five years for a final decision on their immigration status. They first apply for asylum through ORAC, if denied which the majority are, they can then apply for asylum through RAT, if denied again they can apply for Subsidiary Protection, and if still unsuccessful finally Leave to Remain.
Mr Forde continued “This system is unfair, lacks transparency and is too costly on the state. A system which is less time consuming and more cost effective would be more beneficial to all. To keep asylum seekers here, unable to work, for several years and then send them back to their countries of origin is inhumane, and we implore that this practice ends now”.
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Contact: Helena Clarke on 01 645 3088 / 087-6325138; 1st and 2nd Floors, 18 Dame Street Dublin 2, helena.clarke@integrationcentre.ie, www.integrationcentre.ie
Editor’s note
The Integration Centre - Connecting Communities Advancing Integration is committed to the integration and inclusion of people from immigrant backgrounds in Ireland.</span><span>The Centre specializes in planning, monitoring and advocacy at city, local, national and international levels and provides regionalized information, advice and training services. Evidence-based research influences positive change in legislation, policy and practice. We have more than 250 affiliated organisations as part of our network.