No refugees from Kosovo will be expected to return home from Ireland against their will after a change in Government policy.
Previously, only refugees whose circumstances were considered "exceptional" were to be permitted to remain in Ireland. A loosening of this criterion was signalled in the Dail last week.
In a written answer to a question from Labour TD Ms Liz McManus, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said both he and Minister of State Ms Liz O'Donnell fully supported "a voluntary return programme".
Mr Cowen said "some refugees . . . may not feel ready to return to Kosovo at present and we believe it would be appropriate to allow them to remain in Ireland for a further period".
The Minister said the refugees had "clearly benefited from their time here and a further period would allow them more time to consolidate their position before returning".
Last month the refugees were told that the Government believed it was now safe for "most" Kosovan Albanians to return home. A letter dated May 16th from Ms O'Donnell said Ireland fully accepted there might be individuals and groups who still required protection. Those in such a vulnerable position would not be expected to return to Kosovo but were described as being "an exception to the general rule".
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign affairs conceded there might be "nuances" differentiating the stance taken in May and that being taken at present.
The spokesman said it had always been the position that pains would be taken to consider individual circumstances, and there was no question of anyone being forced to return to Kosovo against their will. Any repatriation would be "voluntary and on a phased basis".
Although "we are not going to get hung up on a particular date", the spokesman said that with the period of temporary protection status due to end soon, other ways were necessary to regularise the position of the Kosovars in Ireland. Because of this the refugees would have to apply for extended visas.
He said it was expected that all who applied for the visas would be given them, as opposed to their being given only in exceptional cases.
Discussions are currently under way between the Department and others, including the Departments of Social Welfare, Health and Justice, on the future of the Kosovan refugee programme.
These are expected to continue until mid-July at the earliest.