INFORMATION LEAFLET FOR APPLICANTS FOR REFUGEE STATUS IN IRELAND
Note: this document is an html copy of a Department of Justice document Information
Leaflet for applicants for refugee status in Ireland, available in .pdf (acrobat)
format at http://www.irlgov.ie/justice/Publications/Asylum/asylum1.pdf. It is
being made available purely as a convenience for readers who may not be familiar with
the Acrobat format. The Irish Centre for Migration Studies accepts no liability for the
contents of the text or the accuracy of the version below.
If you believe that you qualify as a refugee, you may apply for recognition as a
refugee and seek the protection of this State. It is important that you read this leaflet
and the What you need to do * You must complete an Application Form and return it at the
date and time specified to the Asylum Division of the Department of Justice, Equality and
Law Reform, or to your local immigration officer if requested to do so. All persons, other
than children under 18 year's of age accompanying their parents must complete an
application form. Children under 18 will be included on their parents' form.
Your application must be accompanied by the original travel documents (passports,
laissez-passer) in your possession, and those of your children aged under 18. Unless you
have a reasonable cause for not doing so, you must also furnish originals of all identity
documents or birth and/or marriage certificates in your possession and relating to you or
to your children.
You must attend for an interview when requested to do so. This interview may take a
number of hours. If you have additional information or documentation which supports your
case you should bring it along to the interview.
You must make known to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform your address.
You must also inform the Department each time you change your address. You may not move
from one area of the country to another without first notifying the appropriate
authorities, i.e. the Department, the Aliens Registration Office (ARO) or Garda (Police)
Station where you sign on and your local Health Board.
You may not leave the State without permission while your application is under
consideration.
You may not enter employment while your application is under consideration.
Failure to comply with any of the requirements set out in this document may result in
your application being deemed to be manifestly unfounded or abandoned or to a prosecution
in accordance with Aliens legislation.
What you need to know
While your case is being processed in accordance with the "Procedures for
Processing Asylum Claims" you will be allowed to remain in the State. When you return
your application form an Identification Card (ID) will be issued to you. This is an
important document and should be retained by you at all times. You must not give this
document to any other person.
The Dublin Convention guarantees asylum seekers who arrive in the territory of the
European Union that their application will be examined fully by one state in accordance
with that state's determination procedure. Therefore if, for example, you have travelled
through another EU state or hold a visa for another EU state and it is agreed with that
other state that it is appropriate for your application to be dealt with there you may be
transferred to that state.
Every effort will be made to provide you with an interpreter where necessary and
possible.
You may consult a legal representative and/or the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR).
All details provided in connection with your application will be treated in confidence.
Certain aspects of this information may, however, be disclosed to other bodies which may
be dealing with you, such as Irish Government Departments and agencies, local authorities
and the UNHCR, to enable them to carry out their functions.
Credibility is a key factor in determining if a person should be recognised as a
refugee. It is important that you be truthful at all times in the information you supply
in connection with your application. It is in your interest to co-operate fully with the
authorities, to attend for interview as required and to provide all requested
documentation.
You will be informed in writing of the decision on your application and if your
application is refused you will be given the reasons for that refusal and information of
the appeals procedure.
You may appeal a refusal to the relevant Appeals Officer (for Dublin Convention
purposes) or Appeals Authority within the time limit and in the manner specified in the
letter notifying you of the refusal of your application.
In all correspondence with the Department, you must indicate clearly your full name,
nationality and the application reference number shown on your identification card.
After making your application you will be required to sign on with the ARO or your local
Garda Station and to continue doing so on the days appointed.
Your local Health Board will be able to assist with your welfare, housing and medical
needs.
In connection with your application you may wish to contact one of the following
agencies:
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform,
Asylum Division,
72/76 St Stephen's Green,
Dublin 2.
Tel No. (01) 602 8202
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
72/76 St Stephen's Green,
Dublin 2.
Tel No. (01) 602 8628
Irish Red Cross Society
16 Merrion Square,
Dublin 2.
Tel No. 676 5135 / 676 5136 / 6765137
Irish Red Cross Society
1 Dalcassain Park
Ennis,
Co Clare.
Tel No. (065) 20912
Irish Refugee Council,
41 Dominick Street
Dublin 1
Tel No. (01) 872 4424
Irish Refugee Council,
1 Bank Place
Ennis
Co Clare
(065) 22026
Amnesty International,
Seán McBride House
48 Fleet Street,
Dublin 2.
Tel No. (01) 677 6361
Eastern Health Board (Refugee Unit)
St James's Hospital
Dublin 8
Tel No. 1 800 512513; (01) 473 4914/5/6/7
Mid Western Health Board
Tobartaoscain Health Centre
Ennis Co Clare
Tel No. (0615) 23924
Midland Health Board
Health Centre
Dublin Road
Longford
Tel No. (043) 50150/46211
North Eastern Health Board
Health Centre
Virginia
Co Cavan
Tel No. (049) 48253
North Western Health Board
Markieviez House
Sligo
Tel No. (071) 55100
South Eastern Health Board
Community Care Centre
Grogan's Road
Wexford
Tel No. (053) 23572
Southern Health Board
Probiz House
Drinan Street
Cork
Tel No. (021) 963052
Western Health Board
Mervue Health Centre
Galway
Tel No. (091) 751971
This leaflet is meant as a guide only and does not purport to be a legal
interpretation of existing arrangements.
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