Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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457. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated number of persons that will be required to exchange their existing immigration residence permit card for a new, different residence permit due to new rules affecting non-EEA family members of UK citizens resident in Ireland under the withdrawal agreement; the additional resources that will be given to the Garda National Immigration Bureau to deal with the increase in demand for registration appointments; and her plans to raise awareness of this new requirement among affected migrant communities. [43389/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Non-EEA family members or dependents of UK nationals will continue to hold the same residence rights to live, work or study in Ireland, from 31 December 2020 if they reside here at the end of the transition period and continue to do so.

My Department is putting arrangements in place for those people who come from a country outside the EU (non-EEA), and are a family member or dependent of a UK national, who, as of 31 December 2020, hold a valid Irish Resident Permit (IRP) Card.

It is estimated that approximately 6,000 non-EEA nationals resident in Ireland will need to apply for a new residence document under the Withdrawal Agreement as family members of UK nationals.

Non-EEA family members or dependents of UK nationals will simply be required to exchange their current valid IRP Card for a new one stating that they benefit from the Withdrawal Agreement. This card exchange programme will apply from 1 January 2021 and be administered by the Immigration Service of my Department for applicants nationwide. Applications will be made through an online renewal system.

When making the online application:

- Non-EEA family members or dependents of UK nationals will be asked to confirm that they have been exercising EU Treaty Rights to reside in the State on or before 31 December 2020 and continue to do so.

- They will be asked to submit their current valid Irish Residence Permit card and will be issued a new one.

- They will have until 31 December 2021 to apply.

My Department has created a new Brexit information section on the Immigration Service website which includes information for non-EEA family members of UK citizens resident in Ireland. This is available at .

Social media content has also been created to sign post available information on the website and this will be published on my Department’s social media channels. The Immigration Service is also developing a detailed frequently asked questions guide which will be published on its website () once final details have been agreed in the coming weeks.