A total of 1,714 deportation orders were secured against unsuccessful asylum applicants in the first nine months of this year, though just 382 people were deported, figures from the Irish Refugee Council show, writes Kitty Holland.
The council also released figures, gathered from the relevant authorities, indicating 879 asylum applicants received a positive decision and were granted refugee status, out of a total of 6,051 decisions made to the end of August.
Just 287 applicants were granted asylum on their first attempt, compared with 592 appellants who were granted status on appeal.
As of August 31st, there was a backlog of 7,883 unprocessed cases. Some 5,171 were at first stage and 2,712 were at appeal.
In mid-July the number of asylum-seekers in accommodation centres was 5,082. These are accommodated in 58 centres dispersed among 24 counties.
Just over half of all new asylum-seekers so far this year are either from Nigeria (40.4 per cent) or Romania (10.6 per cent).
The other main countries of origin were the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Moldova and Ghana.
Medical college in deal with Bahrain
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has signed an agreement with the Government of Bahrain to open a school of medical science in the Middle East kingdom.
The agreement was made in Dublin last night with the Prime Minister of Bahrain, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa. The Royal College of Surgeons will develop the curriculum, train staff and be involved in delivering the school's programme. The college has had links with Bahrain for more than 20 years.
Conference on property rights
An international conference aimed at addressing the issue of property rights in Ireland and their impact on land and house prices is to be held in Dublin next week, writes Frank McDonald, Environment Editor.
Jointly organised by Feasta, the Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability, and the Henry George Foundation, it coincides with consideration of these issues by the Oireachtas All-Party Committee on the Constitution.
The conference co-ordinator, Ms Emer Ó Siochrú, said it was clear that a new approach was needed to land ownership, development and financing, based on the egalitarian social vision of Michael Davitt and Henry George.
New registrar for gas installers
The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has confirmed it is drafting legislation that will introduce a national registrar of qualified gas installers similar to the Register of Electrical Contractors of Ireland (RECI).
The Gas Regulation Bill 2003 will address the forthcoming opening up of the internal EU market in gas and it is expected to be before the Dáil by Christmas and enacted by next July. The Bill will make it a criminal offence for any unauthorised person to work on or interfere with a gas installation.