Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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155. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will amend the regularisation of the long-term undocumented migrants' scheme for undocumented persons to reduce the €850 application fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8731/22]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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160. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will amend the regularisation of the long-term undocumented migrants' scheme to include all persons in need of regularisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8730/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 160 together.

I was pleased to open the landmark Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme for applications on 31 January. Applications will be accepted for six months until 31 July, when the scheme will close.  The scheme includes a parallel strand, which opened for applications on 7 February 2022, to implement the recommendation included in the report of the Expert Advisory Group, allowing international protection applicants who have an outstanding application for international protection and have been in the asylum process for a minimum of two years to apply.  

This once-in-a-generation scheme is designed to give long-term undocumented people without a current permission to remain in the State, the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship.  As the Deputy will be aware, it has been widely welcomed by those who have long campaigned for this right. 

I am pleased to note that almost 2,200 applications have been received up to 16 February. This is a very positive start and I encourage anyone who may be eligible to apply. 

I am aware, particularly in the current economic climate, of the financial pressures that people are under. However, the fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for the scheme which, given the benefits involved, is quite a detailed process. 

A fee of €700 will generally apply to family unit applications and children up to 23 years, living with their parent(s), can be included in a family unit application. A fee of €550 will apply to individual applications. There is no provision for the discretionary waiver or reduction of fees. 

Successful applicants to the scheme will be required to register the permission granted and everyone over the age of 18 years will be required to pay a registration fee of €300 which is the standard registration fee applicable to all applicants.

There is no application or registration fee for the international protection strand of the scheme.

If a person is resident in the State without permission and does not meet the terms of the published schemes, I would encourage them to contact my Department or their local immigration office and to take all appropriate steps to regularise their status in the State. Any application submitted should explain their current circumstances and future intentions in the State and provide any documentation they feel will support their application. Following receipt of an application, a full consideration of all aspects of their case will be carried out before a decision is made, including a consideration of their private and family life rights, in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights.  

In all cases, people must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally. A pragmatic approach is taken in relation to each case, which is considered on its individual merits.