Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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575. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons to date that have applied for the current undocumented scheme; and the breakdown of those within the international protection strand and the more general scheme. [16357/22]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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584. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications received by her Department under the undocumented scheme to 25 March 2022, analysed by county; the number of applications that have been processed; the number that have been successful, unsuccessful and pending a decision, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16618/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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596. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which work continues in upgrading the status of undocumented immigrants or immigrants whose permission to remain has expired; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16716/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 575, 584 and 596 together.

The Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme opened for applications on 31 January 2022. Applications will be accepted for six months until 31 July 2022, when the scheme will close. The scheme is open to those who do not have a current permission to reside in the State and will enable eligible applicants to remain and reside in the State and to regularise their residency status.

As of 25 March 2022, my Department has received 3,698 applications, in respect of 4,615 people and a breakdown by county of applicants is provide below. This is a very positive start to the Scheme and I encourage anyone who may be eligible to apply.

Applications by County

Additionally, the Scheme includes a parallel process to implement the recommendation included in the Report of the Expert Advisory Group. Applicants who have an outstanding international protection application and have been in the asylum process for a minimum of two years can apply for consideration under a separate strand of the Scheme.

My Department has written to approximately 4,000 potentially eligible applicants to this strand of the scheme inviting them to apply. As of 28 March 2022, my Department has received 1,231 applications under this strand, which remains open until 7 August 2022

Full details regarding the qualifying criteria, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document and the required documentation for the Scheme is available on my Department's website at www.irishimmigration.ie/regularisation-of-long-term-undocumented-migrant-scheme/ and for the international protection strand on the website of the International Protection Office at: www.ipo.gov.ie/en/ipo/pages/whatsnew.

Anyone who is resident in the State without permission and who does not meet the terms of the published schemes is encouraged to contact my Department or their local immigration office and to take all appropriate steps to regularise their status. Any application submitted should explain their current circumstances and future intentions in the State and provide any documentation they feel will support their application.

A full consideration of all aspects of their case will be carried out before a decision is made to grant permission to remain in the State or to make a Deportation Order. This will include 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.