Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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949. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if an automatic extension of immigration residence permits for at least a further two months will be provided due to the backlog in dealing with the renewal of applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22106/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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On 20 March 2020, in light of the uncertainties caused by COVID-19, all valid immigration permissions that were due to expire between 20 March and 20 May 2020, were automatically renewed for a period of two months. A further automatic renewal for two months was granted on 20 May for permissions expiring between 20 May and 20 July 2020. On 16 July, I announced that permissions due to expire between 20 July and 20 August 2020 would be automatically renewed for a period of one month.

At the time of the announcement on 16 July, I indicated that it was intended that this would be the last temporary extension of immigration permission. However, I also indicated that my Department would continue to keep the situation under active review as matters evolve in our national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to concerns surrounding Covid-19 and the temporary closure of Registration Offices announced on 18 August, a further extension was announced automatically renewing permissions due to expire between 20 August and 20 September 2020 by a period of one month.

These measures were deemed necessary due to the temporary closure of the Burgh Quay Registration Office as well as all Registration Offices for non-Dublin residents operated by An Garda Síochána. All such automatic renewals were on the same basis as a person’s existing permission, and the same conditions continued to apply.

All renewals in the Dublin area are now being processed online only and the system has been available for all applicants since 20 July 2020 at . The Registration Offices around the country operated by An Garda Síochána re-opened on 24 August 2020 and applications are again being accepted and processed.

Since the launch of the new online renewal system, my Department has received over 22,000 applications from people who would otherwise have had to attend the Registration Office in person. The volume of applications, together with the reduced capacity of the Registration Office due to social distancing requirements, has resulted in longer than anticipated processing times. My Department recognises the difficulties that delays may cause for applicants and it is providing additional resources to the Registration Office to increase its capacity to handle current demand.

It is not currently intended to grant a further automatic extension of immigration permission. However, the situation will continue to be kept under review taking into account the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.