Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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34. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will ensure that when documents are being handed in at the Immigration Office that the person receives a receipt for those documents. [24604/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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It is assumed that by ‘Immigration Office’ the Deputy is referring to the public office at Burgh Quay in Dublin.

This is a large public office dealing with up to 700 people per day. Its primary function is to provide face to face services with its customers in relation to registration for immigration permission and for re-entry visas. I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department, that operational control of the registration function in Burgh Quay transferred from the Garda National Immigration Bureau to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department on 25th July 2016.

In relation to the registration process, the majority of documents presented by customers are returned to them before the completion of their registration/renewal. The Deputy will appreciate that many of these customers are in correspondence with INIS before the registration of their immigration permission takes place, and in most cases will have previously forwarded relevant documentation to INIS. The only documents retained by the Registration Office are what are termed 'College Letters', provided by some colleges to assist students to complete the registration process. INIS is in the process of phasing these letters out with electronic communication.

In relation to re-entry visa applications similar procedures apply, with all documentation returned to the customer at the end of the re-entry visa appointment transaction.

On occasion, individuals whose applications are not being considered by the public office, have sought to hand in documentation at the reception desk in the public office. INIS recommends that, in all cases, individuals wishing to submit such documentation, particularly if it contains valuable documents such as passports, etc., should do so via recorded postal delivery addressed to the correct Division of INIS. INIS cannot take responsibility for documentation that is forwarded outside of this method of delivery.