Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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347. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when decisions will be processed and issued on applications submitted in November 2019 for a right of residency accompanied by a right to work based on parentage of an Irish minor citizen and based also on the principles of the Zambrano judgment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8541/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of my Department that, in the interests of fairness to all applicants, all applications are processed in chronological order.

The COVID–19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the way the Immigration Services (ISD) of my Department conducts its business. In line with advice issued by the Government, HSE and the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), ISD have implemented a suite of measures to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

These measures include the closure of our offices in Burgh Quay and the implementation of remote working for Immigration Services staff in order to comply with social and physical distancing measures. These measures have unfortunately led to a reduction in processing capacity. While delays are expected, ISD is endeavouring to keep operating to the best of its ability.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the Immigration Service is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.