Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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126. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the delays in processing applications from migrant workers to work here are justifiable (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51298/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the online booking system for registration appointments.

As outlined in responses to previous parliamentary questions, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department became aware in September of customers experiencing difficulties booking registration appointments. Some of these difficulties had arisen because third party agents had been able to secure multiple appointments through the use of automatic software. Software upgrades were put in place to minimise this abuse.

The period September to November is the busiest time for registrations with many student registrations in addition to the usual workload of the office. A number of measures have been taken to increase the capacity of the office, including the assignment of additional staff to the Registration Office, overtime and opening the office for registrations on most Saturdays and some Sundays. These measures are aimed at ensuring that as many appointments as possible are made available each day. INIS is continuing these measures at least into December to ensure demand is met.

I am also advised that INIS is currently developing a new online appointments system which should be operational late next year. This new system will assist in streamlining and improving the current online booking process. However, it is necessary for customers who are registering for the first time to attend the Registration Office as first time registration requires the capture of biometric information. INIS is examining options for renewals of some types of permissions for 2019 and is also developing a new computerised registration system which will enable further options to streamline the registration process to be developed. This is a large ICT project planned to be delivered in 2020. The overall aim of these measures is to improve customer service and efficiency and so that future demands can be met.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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127. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if delays and ongoing technical difficulties in receiving documentation and processing applications as experienced by migrant workers coming here could be eased by the use of online applications without the need for visits to GNIB offices especially in cases of workers already resident here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51299/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in responses to previous parliamentary questions, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department became aware in September of customers experiencing difficulties booking registration appointments. Some of these difficulties had arisen because third party agents had been able to secure multiple appointments through the use of automatic software.

A set of software fixes was introduced in mid-September to prevent this abuse of the system. As far as can be determined, this software update has been successful in preventing the block booking of appointments by third party agents. The system is being regularly monitored in this regard.

The period September to November is the busiest time for registrations with many student registrations in addition to the usual workload of the office. A number of measures have been taken to increase the capacity of the office, including the assignment of additional staff to the Registration Office, overtime and opening the office for registrations on most Saturdays and some Sundays. These measures are aimed at ensuring that as many appointments as possible are made available each day. INIS is continuing these measures at least until December to ensure demand is met.

I also wish to inform the Deputy that INIS is currently developing a new online appointments system which should be operational late next year. This new system will assist in streamlining and improving the current online booking process. However there will still be a necessity for customers who are registering for the first time to attend the Registration Office as first time registration requires the capture of biometric information.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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128. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for extra resources to be deployed in the INIS and GNIB in view of delays facing migrants who need to apply for visas or for renewal of residency permits, and in further view of the exit of the United Kingdom from the EU and the added pressure this may place on the system in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51300/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the staffing of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department, significant additional funding has been allocated to support increased staffing resources in that area over recent years. Expenditure on staffing of INIS amounted to €31.4m in 2016, rising to €35.7m in 2017. Expenditure is estimated at €39.5m for this year, while Budget 2019 includes an allocation of €43.7m. This increased investment clearly demonstrates the commitment of Government to maintaining a safe, secure and efficient immigration system, and to tackling processing delays where they exist within the system. This includes allocation of resources for processing of both visas and registration of immigration permissions. The allocation of resources to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is a matter for the Garda authorities.

INIS has also published a Service Improvement Plan for the 2018-2020 period which includes a commitment to a significant range of reforms which will improve the efficiency of the system while also improving the service provided to customers.

With regard to the UK exiting the EU, various contingency planning measures are underway in relation to immigration-related matters. The nature and extent of any possible future changes to policy or practice and their resource implications will obviously depend on the nature of any withdrawal agreement. However, I want to emphasise that there is firm commitment of both the Irish and UK Government, together with EU Member States and the EU Commission, that the existing arrangements in relation to the Common Travel Area will continue in the future, including the free movement of persons entitled to avail of it.