Asylum Overview May and June 2006-08-16

New Asylum Applications: 400 applications were received in May and 275 applications in June 06 totalling 675 applications for the months of May and June and giving a figure of 2,085 for the first half of 2006. Top countries of new arrivals: Nigeria: 22%, Romania: 10%, Sudan: 9%, Iran: 7%, Somalia:5%

Decisions at First Instance: Of some 831 applications for asylum on which a decision was made in May/June, some 61 applicants were recognised as refugees, 677 refused and 93 persons returned (Dublin 2 Convention) to have their application processed in another EU country.

Appeal Stage: Of 327 substantive (ie 15 day appeals of negative first instant decision, some 54 of those who appealed were recognised as refugees, 297 refused and 11 appeals withdrawn.

Family Reunification: Some 218 new applications (involving 570 dependants) were received in January – June 06; some 291 applications (involving 657 dependants) were processed to completion. New applicants` country of origin: Somalia: 38, Nigeria: 19, DR Congo: 15, Iraq: 12, Iran: 10, Other: 124

Direct Provision: At 23/07/06, there were some 4,116 asylum seekers in 41 centres in 22 counties- including 643 people in Mosney, 200-300 in 6 centres and 100 – 200 in 5 centres.

Self Catering: 9 Centres; (Cork, Dublin 6, Louth, Roscommon); residents: 418 (Capacity: 606)

Amnesty: Italy`s government recently approved a decree which will regularise the status of 350,000 irregular migrants. This is not only an act of solidarity towards migrants but also a decision in the interest of the community, said Sig. Ferrero, Italy`s Min. for Social Solidarity.