Additional resources have been added to manage the scheme leading to medical personnel application processing times being drastically reduced to 20 working days in line with the business target. There has been extensive communication with relevant public and private stakeholders to assist people to complete their AWS application. Issues with the quality of AWS applications being received has also been a persistent concern this year. To address this, the immigration service regularly holds training seminars on the AWS application process with relevant stakeholders, including the HSE and the nursing home sector. Some issues still remain with certain applications. However, where issues occur with applications, the Department strives to return an application for correction, or request further documentation, rather than move to outright refusal, so as not to cause undue delays to applicants.

The committee recommends the correspondence from the Department of Justice be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days. Is that agreed?