Written answers

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Department of Justice and Equality

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Administration

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

444. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an Oireachtas Members' inquiry line for his Department and INIS, as operated by other Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54154/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to inform the Deputy that the primary area of activity in my Department that gives rise to enquiries from members of the Oireachtas falls under the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) which is responsible for the administration of the State’s immigration system, dealing with very substantial volumes of cases each year. By way of illustration, in 2012, INIS dealt with approximately 165,000 new applications across the broad immigration spectrum such as applications for visas, residence, protection and citizenship. Understandably, given that volume of activity a very large number of queries from Oireachtas Members on the status of individual applications are received by INIS.

In recognition of the need to facilitate Oireachtas Members in submitting representations and queries and to provide timely and effective responses to all matters raised, a dedicated Oireachtas Members email service has been established by INIS. This service, for the exclusive use of Oireachtas Members, assists Members seeking information on individual cases while also enabling large volumes of queries to be dealt with speedily and efficiently. In 2012, almost 4,800 email queries were processed through the Oireachtas email service, with a similar volume being dealt with in 2013 to date. It is also the case that issues in respect of individual immigration cases are regularly raised through the Parliamentary Questions process and directly with my Private Office, all of which are responded to in an appropriate and timely manner.

As I am sure the Deputy will agree the main priority for INIS must continue to be the processing of cases as expeditiously as possible. In that context and in view of the fact that an efficient email enquiry service is available to Oireachtas Members, I am of the opinion that the right balance is being struck between facilitating Members in making enquiries to INIS and the efficient processing of applications and that the provision of an enquiry line as suggested by the Deputy would have the effect of diverting scarce resources away from case processing.

I do not see any current need or demand that would justify the extension of the system provided by INIS to other areas of my Department. Nor do I see any business need to establish an enquiry line for sole use by members of the Oireachtas. It is always open to any member of the Oireachtas who has a concern which they wish to raise to write to my Department.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.