Refugee application backlog to be cleared in 2005

The body responsible for processing refugee applications is hoping to clear its backlog of 3,300 asylum cases by early next year.

The announcement was made today by Commissioner, Ms Bernice O'Neill,  at the launch of the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) 2003 Annual Report.

The office is continuing to make inroads on the large backlog of cases while the number of applications continues to drop.

The number of new applications fell last year by 30 per cent and ORAC processed over 9 per cent more applications than it received in 2003.

The rate of completion of cases has increased with approximately 40 per cent of new asylum cases completed by in less than six weeks by the end of last year.

ORAC also announced the publication of a Corporate Plan which focuses on quality and effectiveness in decision-making and other areas over the next five years. An accompanying strategy statement describes the goals and strategies the Office hopes to attain in the next three years.

The Minister for Justice, Mr Michael McDowell, welcomed today's report and congratulated staff at ORAC saying theirs was a significant area of public policy with over €340m spent per year.