Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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549. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a cap has been set for the number of persons who may apply for participation in the scheme to regularise members of the immigrant undocumented community; if access to the scheme is open ended in terms of the number of persons who may apply; the steps that she will take if the number of applicants exceeds the unsourced estimates provided by her Department of up to 17,000 persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5878/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government committed to bringing forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government. It did not suggest any limit or cap on the numbers who might benefit from such a scheme.

As previously advised to the Deputy, there is no official data on the number of undocumented people in the State but the MRCI have estimated that there could be up to 17,000 undocumented people including up to 3,000 children.

In the absence of official data, my Department has allowed for the possibility of higher numbers in our plans to process applications. Consequently, and in line with the Programme for Government commitment, there is no cap on the number of applications that will be accepted. However, it is important to note that the scheme is time limited and no applications will be accepted after 31 July 2022.

The scheme opened for applications on the 31 January 2022 and will bring some much-needed certainty and peace of mind to thousands of people who are currently living in a vulnerable position due to their lack of immigration status.