Important notice for all holders of a residency permission under the Syrian Humanitarian Admission Programme (SHAP): INIS has now put in place a procedure for renewing SHAP residency permits. INIS is writing directly to the sponsor with application forms for renewal. These forms are not available on the INIS website. If you or your sponsor […]

Date:  Monday 13th March 2017 Time:  7:30 – 9:30 PM (doors open at 7 PM) Location: Nasc, Ferry Lane, Cork A sharing of traditional music from both cultures. Followed by tea and biscuits and opportunity to chat. This is a free event supporting cultural sharing and understanding. If you would like to contribute food or […]

WE NEED YOUR HELP! The absolute most important thing we need everyone to do right now to support Safe Passage is to visit or write a letter to your local politicians asking them to support the introduction of a humanitarian admission programme to reunite families fleeing conflict. We will be hosting a LOBBYING WORKSHOP here […]

Nasc welcomes the announcement made by the International Protection Office detailing the prioritisation of applications for international protection. According to the IPO’s statement, prioritisation of applications relates ‘solely to the scheduling of interviews’ and will not impact the recommendation made on an application. That is, it will affect the order in which your application is processed […]

We are aware that asylum seekers are understandably concerned at the 20 day deadline on the questionnaires issued by the International Protection Office. We strongly urge all those receiving questionnaires to seek legal advice from the Legal Aid Board or their private solicitor. The International Protection Office have advised that they are taking a flexible […]

Nasc are deeply concerned about responses to Parliamentary Questions submitted by Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin this week indicating a high number of refusals of family reunification visas for people from countries like Syria, Iraq, Eritrea, Libya, Jordan, Turkey, Yemen and Afghanistan. According to the figures provided by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality Frances […]

58. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if all resettled refugees who have arrived here as part of the Irish refugee protection programme receive an orientation and language training programme as provided for on the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration website (details supplied). Minister of State at the Department of Justice […]

100. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress being made on her commitment in February 2015 to allow asylum seekers living in direct provision to have their complaints independently examined by the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children in line with the recommendations of the 2015 working group report, Improvements to the […]

99. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the investment funds for which applications under the immigrant investor programme have been approved to date; the investment funds for which such applications have been refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter.   Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances […]

90. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Syrian refugees the State has accepted in 2015, 2016 and to date 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): Ireland is one of 27 States that participate in a refugee […]

88. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the number of immigrants Ireland had accommodated since 2015 was outlined at the Malta meeting on 3 February 2017 and plans for more in 2017 and the details of same. Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I understand that the Deputy is […]

87. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the meeting held in Malta on 3 February 2017; and if immigration to the EU was discussed.   The Taoiseach: The Summit in Malta on 3 February included two sessions. In the morning, there was an informal meeting of the European Council, where we discussed the external […]

141. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to media reports (details supplied), if she will liaise with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and grant refugee status for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender, LGBT, Iranians that were due to be resettled in the United States but are now stranded in Turkey […]

107. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average length of time spent in direct provision centres by refugees relocated from Greece as part of the refugee relocation programme since that programme was launched in September 2015. 108. Deputy Clare Daly   asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality   if any refugee arriving here as part […]

101. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if adequate temporary accommodation has been sourced to facilitate the remainder of the 4,000 refugee target before September 2017. Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy David Stanton): As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by […]

100. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is still planning to reach the target of 4,000 refugees taken under the Irish refugee protection programme by September 2017. Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy David Stanton): As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) […]

159. Deputy Jim O’Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the basis for the increase in the amount required by applicants to avail of the immigrant investor programme and which increase was announced on 20 December 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances […]

158. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of adults and children who remain in direct provision after receiving their stamp 4 leave to remain; the number of these persons living in direct provision on 26 January 2017; if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties these persons are having in […]

776. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1709 to 1712, inclusive, of 17 January 2017, if she will provide a breakdown of the costs quoted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): The latest information is that all […]

109. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders that existed at the start of 2016 and 2017 respectively; the number of persons that were deported during 2016; the amount it cost to deport them; the top country of origin for deportations. Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy […]