Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1338 to 1341, inclusive, together.

The number of applications received by my Department in the years 2017-2022 (to 8 June) for permanent residence cards by family members of EEA nationals who have complied with the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015, is set out in the following table.

Year	No. of Apps Received	No. of Decisions	Average Time (Days)
2017	531	500	221
2018	721	569	258
2019	920	705	458
2020	1116	282	494
2021	1329	1096	242
2022*	625	1341	43

*2022 figures are correct up to and including 8 June 2022.

Given the nature and volume of information required for Permanent Residence applications, it is not practical to deal with all applications in strict chronological order. However, my Department endeavours to deal with them as closely as possible to chronological order. The initial registration and assessment of applications are dealt with chronologically, however, depending on the information provided and the timing of responses for additional or missing documentation, applications may not then be concluded chronologically.

Given the volume of new applications received in the last two and a half years and the issues caused by the pandemic, the volume of cases backlogged had increased exponentially. However, steps have been taken by my Department to address this and to mitigate the risk of something similar happening again.

The EU Treaty Rights Division of my Department have implemented a two pronged approach, whereby one team processes backlogged cases as a priority and a second team processes new applications chronologically to ensure they do not add to the backlog. This ensures that older cases are getting resolved as quickly as possible, while ensuring new applications received, where all information is provided, do not exceed the six month statutory time limit.

This new approach has led to a marked increase in decisions made by the Permanent Residence Unit and a significant reduction in backlogged cases and the number of days applicants are waiting for a decision.

Applicants for Permanent Residence are advised to submit their applications six months before the expiry date of their current permission. Therefore, in most cases, the issue of a temporary stamp 4 is not necessary immediately. However, in cases where an applicant requires a temporary stamp 4 while their application is being considered, this will issue within two weeks of receipt of the application and is valid for an initial period of nine months.

Applicants who hold a registered temporary stamp 4 are eligible to leave and re-enter the State, subject to any visa requirements that may be attributable either in the State to which they are travelling or on their return to this State. Applicants should advise the EU Treaty Rights Division of any intended absence from the State during this period as correspondence may issue or further documents may be sought in relation to their application.