Figures released today by the Office of Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) show an average of 360 applications per month were lodged in Ireland last year.
A total of 4,314 applications were made by residents from more than 90 different countries in 2006, just nine fewer than the previous year.
Nigeria, Sudan, Romania, Iraq and Iran top the list of nations whose members applied for refugee status.
ORAC said the figure reflected a continuing decrease in annual applications, which peaked at 11,634 in 2002.
Some 243 applications received from detainees held by the Irish Prison Service and the Garda National Immigration Bureau were prioritised.
In the organisation's sixth annual report, the Refugee Applications Commissioner, Berenice O'Neill, said the diversity of the caseload continued to be a challenge with applicants coming from 91 different countries, with 44 countries having more than 10 applicants each.
"Cases continued to be more complex with some requiring more than one substantive interview," she said. "Multiple grounds were frequently claimed. The profile of applicants showed that, in the main, there continued to be a small number applying from each country.
"During 2006, more effective and efficient systems and procedures were further developed with the service providers to ensure interpreter attendance at the required times. Lack of interpreter availability in some languages can be a difficulty," she said.
The ORAC is an independent office that considers applications for refugee status and makes recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted.
Except for cases that could not be processed for medical or other compelling reasons, 79 per cent of applications received during 2006 were completed by the end of the year. All other cases were scheduled for interview or awaiting decision.