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DUBLIN, Apr 4, 2000 -- (Reuters)
Ireland could repatriate up to 5,000 Romanian asylum seekers within the next year under new "fast-track" measures being ...
DUBLIN, Apr 4, 2000 -- (Reuters)
Ireland could repatriate up to 5,000 Romanian asylum seekers within the next year under new "fast-track" measures being considered by the government. Romanian nationals account for nearly 30 percent of the 20,000 asylum seekers who have flooded into Ireland since 1992. But of the 2,670 cases processed so far only 15 have had their requests granted and there are legal complications in repatriating the unsuccessful ones. Justice Minister John O'Donoghue is expected to sign an agreement with the Romanian government next month which would allow him to repatriate unsuccessful Romanian asylum applicants immediately, a ministry spokesman told Reuters on Monday. Faced with swelling refugee numbers and a worsening accommodation crisis, O'Donoghue plans to speed up identification of those with genuine grounds for asylum and reduce the processing period to six months from, in some cases, up to two years at present. The ministry spokesman emphasised that all applications would be subject to the same process. "This isn't just about Romanian applicants - though we do receive many from that country - each case has to be taken on its own merits," he said. Ireland is reviewing its treatment of asylum seekers as neighbouring Britain toughens its line, introducing measures including the replacement of cash allowances with vouchers. HOUSING CRISIS Spurred by Ireland's soaring economy, asylum applications are running at around 1,000 a month - up from just 429 in the whole of 1995 - overburdening an increasingly clogged system. The majority made up of Romanians and Nigerians, head for the crowded capital Dublin and straight into a housing crisis with spiralling rents and prices. With around 8,000 places needed this year, the government last week unveiled controversial plans to shelter new arrivals in floating hotels. Permanent shelter will be built for around 4,000 asylum seekers, and a further 2,000 will be accommodated in hotels, hostels and guesthouses. At the same time, ministers have announced measures to ease immigration restrictions in a bid to fix a chronic shortage of skilled labour caused by five years of boom in the European Union's fastest growing economy. Deputy Prime Minister Mary Harney has announced measures to make immigration easier for skilled workers and professionals outside the European Economic Area. The scheme will apply initially to people in the information technology sector, nurses, and construction industry professionals, the areas hit hardest by labour shortages. The government estimates it needs to import up to 200,000 skilled workers over the next seven years to maintain economic growth, forecast this year at around eight percent. The justice ministry spokesman pointed out that there were some 30,000 non-EU nationals working in Ireland legitimately.
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