38 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has carried out an assessment of the academic qualifications and skill levels of refugees seeking asylum here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3146/98]

49 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has carried out an assessment of the academic qualifications and skill levels of refugees seeking asylum here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3149/98]

55 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has carried out an assessment of the academic qualifications and skill levels of refugees seeking asylum here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3147/98]

79 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has carried out an assessment of the academic qualifications and skill levels of refugees seeking asylum here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3148/98]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 49, 55 and 79 together.

The answer to the Deputies' questions is "no".

A person seeks refugee status due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. The particular academic qualifications or skill levels of an asylum seeker do not have a bearing on a determination in any individual case although, as part of the interview process to determine if a person is entitled to recognition as a refugee it is usual to inquire about educational attainments.

An examination of each individual file would be required to carry out an assessment of the kind suggested by the Deputies. I do not have available staff resources to conduct such an examination and as the great majority of the 4,000 persons who have applied in the last 12 months have not been interviewed in depth, any outcome of such an examination would be of little relevance.