The number of staff for processing asylum applications is to be almost doubled, according to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr O'Donoghue. He said the Government had approved a further 72 staff for his Department to handle its increased asylum and immigration workload.
As soon as they are assigned, about 170 staff will be exclusively involved in asylum and immigration casework.
The Minister said there are currently over 5,800 asylum applications to be dealt with. The current rate of applications is about 100 a week.