Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

209. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 428 of 12 October 2021, the way in which her Department accommodates those impacted by the booking of immigration appointments by third party agents;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51703/21]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As outlined to the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question no. 428, my Department is aware that there have been issues in the past around the securing of registration appointments. My Department has continually introduced software fixes designed to prevent such abuses of the system. These new measures have been partly successful in preventing the block booking of appointments by third party agents. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is continually working to establish further methods to mitigate against this unregulated practice.

Customers should continue to apply directly for appointments as they become available without charge, through the online appointments system: burghquayregistrationoffice.inis.gov.ie. 

A tender has been awarded for a new Immigration Service appointment and scheduling system, which will streamline and further improve the registration process. The new system is expected to be available to customers in November 2021.