Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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374. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the INIS website has ever been subject to a user experience, UX, audit; and if so, the results of the audit. [12930/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department, that no official User Experience audit has been conducted of the INIS website.

The INIS website is subject to ongoing review with the aim of better meeting the needs of the variety of customers who use the website. Feedback is regularly received from users, and is monitored to assess how usability of the site can be improved.

Significant work was carried out during 2017 to improve the readability and usability of the site, and this work continues as part of the functions of a small dedicated website team. Projects planned for 2018 include an upgrade to the website as well as moves towards service delivery through the website.

The website upgrade will be carried out as part of an upgrade to all Department of Justice and Equality websites, and will further improve both the content and usability of the site across a range of devices.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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375. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the automated visa application and tracking system, AVATS, online application form for a join family visa on the INIS website asks applicants to enter a reference number issued by his Department in view of the fact that such numbers are no longer issued. [12931/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that AVATS (Automated Visa Application and Tracking System) is an example of the successful use of information technology in assisting the making of visa applications and the processing of those applications. 

Over 125,000 visa applications were made using AVATS in 2017.  The system requires applicants to provide certain information to enable a visa officer to make decisions on applications. While some of the information is mandatory, other information is non-mandatory and this is indicated on the online form.

In relation to the use of reference numbers, the format of the number requested on the online form is still in use for older files.  This information is non-mandatory and the applicant does not need to provide any response to that question if the information is not applicable to them. INIS also provides a dedicated email address (avatsqueries@justice.ie) to assist with any queries on completing the online application form.

INIS reviews online application procedures on a regular basis and the continued inclusion of this field will be considered in this context.