Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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64. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of EU1 applications for residence permits by family members of European Union citizens exercising free movement for work or other purposes received by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service in 2015 and in 2016 to date. [18340/16]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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65. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware of the fact that it is currently taking 14 to 16 weeks for the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service to acknowledge receipt of an application for a residence permit and the difficulties this poses for family members of European Union citizens bearing in mind the requirement under Article 10 of Directive 2004/38/EC to issue a certificate of application for residence permits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18341/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it received 6,183 EU1 applications for residence permits by family members of EU citizens exercising free movement rights in 2015 and 2,595 up to 23 June, 2016.

Insofar as the current processing time referred to by the Deputy is concerned, I am advised that there is a significant number of cases on hand arising from an unprecedented and sustained increase of approximately 70% in such applications since 2014. INIS appreciates the impact of associated delays on the persons concerned and has taken a number of measures to address the backlog including assignment of additional staff resources and the sanction of regular overtime. I am also advised that available INIS resources and operational and organisational structures are kept under ongoing review to ensure that resources are targeted.

Cognisance must also be given to wider policy issues and in that regard, it is noted that there has been a major increase (now making up over half of such applications) from UK nationals seeking to come here with non-EEA spouse/family members. This obviously raises concerns in relation to the operation of and potential abuses of the Common Travel Area (CTA). In this regard, Ireland's position is that the CTA be retained post BREXIT and accordingly, addressing such potential abuses is critical to maintaining the integrity of the CTA at this time.