Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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946. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for the transfer and the scope of immigration operations that will transfer from the Garda National Immigration Bureau to her Department; when she expects the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing outside of the Dublin area to migrate to an online registration system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12771/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI) recommended that immigration administrative functions should transfer from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department of Justice.

In late 2023, ISD took over the distribution of all Irish Residence Permit cards nationwide, which relieved the GNIB of this duty. I would also advise the Deputy that, with effect from January 2024, the Department took on additional functions at Dublin airport in respect of initial processing of International Protection applicants. This includes carrying out a preliminary interview and fingerprinting of applicants.

My Department and An Garda Síochána have engaged intensively on the scope of further immigration operations to transfer to the Department and a roadmap outlining the functions for transfer is being finalised.

This will set out the timeline for the transfer of work relating to the nationwide first registration and renewal (outside of Dublin) of residence permissions from An Garda Síochána to the Registration Office of my Department. All first registrations require in-person attendance while renewals will be done online.

I expect to be in a position to make further announcements in this regard in the near future.