Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

265. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider expanding the current regularisation scheme to direct provision residents; if not, the reason for not including them in this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43619/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government, to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents, meeting specified criteria and bearing in mind Ireland's European Union (EU) and Common Travel Area (CTA) commitments.

Currently there is no scheme for the undocumented but work is underway in my Department to give effect to this commitment. This work is being informed by an assessment of international best practice and having regard to our EU and CTA commitments. I intend to consult with relevant Government Departments, civil society and other interested parties, before finalising the Scheme, which I expect to be in a position to launch in the second half of 2021.

In the meantime, I would encourage any person who is resident in the State without permission to contact my Department or their local immigration office and to take all appropriate steps to regularise their own and their family's status. In all cases, people must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally.

Insofar as persons residing in State provided accommodation are concerned, they are either in the international protection process, including appeals to initial decisions, or the leave to remain process. A small number, having been unsuccessful in their application for international protection, have been issued with deportation orders. If unsuccessful, I as Minister for Justice, have the discretion to grant permission to remain, where appropriate, or I can consider a case for permission to remain if made following the issue of a deportation order.

While I will keep the matter under review, persons who have applied for international protection are the subject of a thorough process laid out by the Oireachtas in statute to meet Ireland's international obligations. Accordingly, it is not my intention, at this stage, to include them in a separate discretionary regularisation scheme.