Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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954. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 478 of 5 March 2024, with the addition of another member of An Garda Síochána since mid-January 2024 to the GNIB office in Limerick, what target has been set for the reduction of wait times for those waiting to receive an appointment for a stamp 2 visa; the current wait time in weeks; the target wait time in weeks by 1 April, by 1 May and by 1 June 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12922/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing in the Dublin area only, including the online renewal system.

An Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing outside of the Dublin area. I have no role in regard to the scheduling of these appointments.

I have been advised by an Garda Síochána that every effort is being made to reduce the waiting time at the Garda National Immigration Bureau office in Limerick. Approximately 210 applications are processed weekly.

While it is acknowledged that there is a delay in scheduling appointments, the Office continues to work to reduce this. The additional Garda member assigned on a full-time basis has increased the staffing level which will have a consequential knock on effect of reducing waiting times. The office has also opened an additional desk for registrations which will assist in reducing waiting times.

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 Department of Justice. My Department and An Garda Síochána have engaged intensively on the scope of immigration operations to transfer to the Department and a roadmap outlining the functions for transfer is being developed. This will set out the timeline for transfer of work relating to the nationwide registration and renewal (outside of Dublin) of residence permission and the renewal of such permission from An Garda Síochána to the Registration Office of my Department.