Written answers

Wednesday, 1 March 2023

Department of Justice and Equality

Departmental Staff

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff within his Department working within the Immigration and Naturalisation Service; if recruitment of further staff would expedite applications for visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10398/23]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand the Deputy's query concerns Immigration registration in particular.  The Immigration Services Division of my Department including the Registration Office in Burgh Quay is resourced to meet customer requirements. There are currently 33 staff members attached to the Registration Office processing first time registrations and registration renewals.

Overtime is also provided where staff from other business units support the processing of registrations and renewals.

The process of renewing immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area moved from an in-person appointment in the Burgh Quay Immigration Office to an online portal in July 2020. To date, over 220,000 applications have been processed through this system. The online renewal application is available at: inisonline.jahs.ie. Anyone renewing their immigration permission with a new passport can also now upload their passport bio-data page online.

As part of my Department’s ongoing work to meet the demand for first-time registration appointments, on 10 January 2022, a Freephone service (1800 800 630) was introduced for customers. The current operating hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and all appointments for Dublin based customers to register their immigration permission are now issued through this service. Approximately 60,000 appointments have been facilitated through this service since its introduction.

In April 2021, the new Customer Service Helpdesk was launched. Dublin based customers in need of assistance or who have urgent requirements can email my Department at immigrationsupport@justice.ie. This is staffed by the Registration Office customer service team, who are available to support and process their requests. 

For Dublin based renewals, the Immigration Service website now provides a live date for renewals being processed. Applications submitted the week commencing 11 January 2023 are currently being processed.

The website also includes a notice to employers. If an employee’s Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card has expired and they are unable to obtain a valid registration card by the expiry of their current IRP card, they are still legally permitted to remain and work in the State on the existing conditions of their current IRP card for a maximum of 8 weeks. This 8 week provision is subject to the person providing proof that they have applied to renew their registration prior to their current IRP card expiring.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department’s Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering and renewing immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only. Registrations outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network.

The immigration service of my Department continually reviews its processes to ensure we are meeting customer demands.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.