Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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106. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will amend the regularisation of long-term undocumented migrants scheme to include everyone in need of regularisation in order that Ireland does not need to correct these mistakes in future generations to come; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16259/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I was pleased to open the landmark Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme for applications on 31 January 2022. Applications will be accepted for six months until 31 July 2022, when the scheme will close.

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.

The criteria for the scheme, including the period of four years undocumented residence at the date of the opening of the scheme for primary applicants, have been designed in line with the Programme for Government commitment, and are not open to change.

Anyone who does not meet the specified undocumented residency criteria for the scheme will not be eligible to make an application.

Anyone in the State without permission who needs to regularise their residency, but does not meet the terms of the published Scheme, should 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.