Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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148. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the period of time it takes to process an application that falls under the EU treaty rights, excluding the period of time in acknowledging receipt of the application; the process of appealing unsuccessful applications; the number of successful and unsuccessful appeals for the years 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31932/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there has been an unprecedented and sustained increase of approximately 70% in applications for residence permits by family members of EU citizens exercising free movement rights since 2014.

This has impacted on processing times which are now approximately 10 months from date of receipt of application. A number of measures have and are being taken to address this situation, including assignment of additional staff resources and the provision of overtime. INIS resources, operational and organisational structures are kept under ongoing review to ensure that resources are deployed as efficiently as possible.

In line with the relevant legislation, where an applicant considers that the deciding officer has erred in fact or law in making the decision to refuse an application for a residence card, it is open to the person concerned to request a review of the decision. Requests for review must be made in writing on the prescribed Form EU4 within 15 working days of receipt of the decision. Further information in relation to the review process, including the application form, is available on the INIS website www.inis.gov.ie.The table sets out the total number of reviews granted and refused in the period 1 January 2014 to 30 September, 2016.