by way of Ministerial Decision for the purpose of covering the needs of the Asylum Service.10 Further changes were introduced via P.D. 106/2020 (art. 26-31). At the end of April 2024, GAS has had a combined staff of 965 persons (permanent and interim staff, EUAA embedded staff).11 Regional Asylum Office/Units/Facility RAO Attica RAO Piraeus RAO Alimos AAU Amygdaleza RIC Malakasa AAU for Asylum Applicants under custody AAU Corinth RAO Thessaloniki Sintiki Serres AAU Safe Countries of Origin RIC Diavata RAO Patra AAU Ioannina RIC Fylakio RAO Thrace AAU Xanthi AAU Paranesti CCAC Lesvos CCAC Samos CCAC Chios CCAC Leros CCAC Kos RAO Crete Registrations December 2023 (first time) 114 6 16 167 426 15 21 29 53 37 534 7 4 535 6 10 16 1,055 1,380 194 372 1,246 17 Source: MoMA, Statistics, Consolidated Reports - Overview: December 2023 - International Protection | Appendix A, available at: https://tinyurl.com/yc2stzh7, table 8b. EUAA: In April 2016, the law introduced the possibility for the Asylum Service to be assisted by European Asylum Support Office (EASO) personnel “exceptionally” and “in cases where third-country nationals or stateless persons arrive in large numbers”, within the framework of the Fast-Track Border Procedure.12 In June 2016, a subsequent amendment to the national legislation explicitly provided the possibility for the asylum interview within that procedure to be conducted by an EASO caseworker.13 The IPA has maintained this option, and has inserted the possibility for fast-track border procedure and admissibility interviews to be conducted by personnel of the Hellenic Police or the Armed Forces in particularly urgent circumstances.14 Since May 2018, Greek-speaking EASO personnel could also assist the Asylum Service in the Regular Procedure. 10 11 12 13 14 Article 1(3) L 4375/2016. Info provided by the MoMA as part of right to reply. Article 60(4)(b) L 4375/2016. Article 60(4)(b) L 4375/2016, as amended by Article 80(13) L 4399/2016. Articles 77(1) and 90(3)(b) IPA. 30