23 November 2005

Justice

Aged Out Minors

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has examined the difficulties facing aged-out non-Irish minors who have applied for leave to remain here; his plans to address the cases of the relatively small number of persons in these circumstances who wish to continue making a contribution to society here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 

Minister For Justice, Equality and Law Reform: I would refer to the reply I gave to Dáil Question No 61 on 20 October 2005. 

A total of 413 unaccompanied minors, who have now reached the age of 18 years, have been refused refugee status since 1 January 1999.  211 of these have been decided to date under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended resulting in 108 deportation orders, 72 grants of conditional leave to remain under the Irish Born Child Scheme (2005), 8 grants of temporary leave to remain on other grounds, 7 voluntary returns, 3 grants of residency under family reunification, 4 grants of residency under marriage to an Irish national, 6 grants of residency under EU Treaty rights, 2 subsequently became EU nationals on 1 May 2004 and 1 is deceased.  The remaining 202 cases have yet to be considered by me. 

There is no 'catch-all' policy - be it to deport, or allow to remain - in relation to unaccompanied minors who have reached the age of 18 years.  All such cases will continue to be considered on their individual merits.