299 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of asylum seekers who have not had their applications processed and cannot be accounted for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2745/11]

I presume the Deputy is referring to asylum applications that could not be progressed because of a failure on the part of the applicant to co-operate with the asylum agencies. Under the provisions of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), such applications are deemed to be withdrawn. Since the introduction of the statutory provision in question in 2003, approximately 6,200 asylum applications have been deemed withdrawn by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner.