|
Ireland |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Regular interviews now take place through teleconference or videoconference in Cork and from video suites in courthouses. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Ireland |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Executive Officers in the International Protection Office (IPO) were granted the authority for single sign-off on certain cases. Some panel members and case workers are assigned to handle caseloads from specific countries to improve their knowledge for swift decision-making. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Ireland |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Resettlement and humanitarian admissions |
The Department of Justice and Equality launched a community sponsorship programme. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Ireland |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Resettlement and humanitarian admissions |
A new phase of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was announced by the Department of Justice and Equality. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Italy |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The Ministry of Labour and Social Policies launched a project, Protezione Unita a Obiettivo Integrazione, which provided effective pathways to the labour market for beneficiaries of international protection, persons with humanitarian status or persons who entered the country as unaccompanied minors. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Latvia |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The Ministry of Culture in Latvia launched language clubs, co-funded by AMIF, in five cities. The Latvian Language Agency developed new e?learning material (e-Laipa) for A1 and A2 levels. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Lithuania |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Access to information |
The Refugee Reception Centre launched lectures for refugees and asylum applicants on the differences in status, rights and responsibilities, as well as general information on Lithuania (history, geography, education labour law, domestic violence, medical services, etc). With the use of new technologies, the Rukla Refugee Reception Centre also provided similar information through its new Facebook social network account. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Lithuania |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The “Description of the Procedure for Accommodation of Asylum Applicants” clarified that costs exceeding the rates defined in the document might be covered by funds from international organisations, the European Union, non-governmental organisations or private entities. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Malta |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Office of the Refugee Commissioner and the IT Unit of the Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement improved the national asylum database that records relevant data pertaining to applications for international protection, as well as for registering asylum seekers. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Malta |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
AWAS amended its policies and provided allowances to applicants who hold an asylum certificate and are registered with the Refugee Commissioner. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Netherlands |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The IND launched a special project and hired additional staff to reduce the backlog in applications from unaccompanied minors and shorten the overall length of the asylum procedure. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Netherlands |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The project, Participation and Language, was extended to all reception centres (AZC). |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Netherlands |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
Changes in the procedure to grant a residence permit for persons in a distressing situation were implemented (among others) with the abolishment of the discretionary power of the Minister for Migration and by mandating the Managing Director of the IND to consider ex officio within the first assessment of the application whether a distressing situation exists. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Lithuania |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
An amendment to the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners granted applicants the right to work if the Migration Department had not taken a decision on their application within six months of the lodging and the applicants were not responsible for the delay. |
LT LEG 02 2019 |
|
Luxembourg |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Interpretation services |
Luxembourg increased its translation and interpretation budget by about EUR 180 000. |
LU LEG 01 2019 |
|
Luxembourg |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The National Reception Office (ONA, Office nationale de l'accueil) was established. |
LU LEG 02 2019 |
|
Luxembourg |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Detention during the asylum procedure |
An amendment allowed a systematic verification process for the prolongation of a third country national’s administrative detention. |
LU LEG 03 2019 |
|
Luxembourg |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
An interdisciplinary commission was established to evaluate the best interests of unaccompanied minors in return decisions. |
LU LEG 03 2019 |
|
Luxembourg |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
The Law on Social Inclusion Income (REVIS) entered into force on 1 January 2019. All beneficiaries of international protection and their family members aged 25 or older can benefit from the social inclusion income. |
LU LEG 04 2019 |
|
Malta |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The Head of the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seeker (AWAS) may be appointed as a legal guardian for unaccompanied minors with an interim care order, in order to prevent delays. |
MT LEG 01 2019 |
|
Austria |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
An amendment to the Integration Act requires the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs to provide German courses to a minimum B1 level to beneficiaries of international protection older than 15 years. |
AT LEG 04 2019 |
|
Austria |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The act establishes the Federal Agency for Care and Support Services. |
AT LEG 02 2019 |
|
Austria |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
The act grants a postponement of the time limit for voluntary departure to rejected applicants who are in an apprenticeship. |
AT LEG 03 2019 |
|
Austria |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The federal government and the provinces concluded an agreement to harmonise the child and youth welfare system in general, defining the responsibilities of the provinces in providing care and support to unaccompanied minors. |
AT LEG 01 2019 |
|
Austria |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Country of origin information |
Namibia, the Republic of Korea and Uruguay were added to the list of countries considered to be safe countries of origin. |
AT LEG 05 2019 |