Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As of 20 June 2022, a total of 5,118 applications in respect of 6,484 people have been received under the main scheme for the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants and 1,128 permissions have been issued to date to successful applicants.

Under the international protection stand of the scheme, 2,004 applications have been received to 17 June 2022 and 339 permissions have been granted to successful applicants. A further 393 people have been granted an equivalent permission by the International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department, under either the Permission to Remain (first instance) or Permission to Remain Review processes, before their applications under the scheme had been finalised.

My Department opened the once-in-a generation scheme for the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants in the State on 31 January 2022 for a six month period to the 31 July 2022. The scheme is designed, following detailed engagement with the people affected, to give long-term undocumented people without a current immigration permission the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship.

The scheme genuinely is a once-off, life-changing opportunity to obtain status in the State. I encourage everyone eligible for the scheme, who has not yet made an application, to do so before the closing date. I can assure people that we are examining applications pragmatically and humanely and we are considering all viable proofs of residence.

If the Deputy is aware of someone who might be eligible for the scheme please encourage them to come forward. Applicants will be supported in a positive way and if they are not eligible for the scheme, other immigration options can be explored.

To publicise the scheme, my Department commenced a targeted social media ad campaign across all of the main social media platforms directed at the top ten nationalities eligible under the scheme in their own native languages. This campaign will run until the scheme closes at the end of July. Further targeted communications are also being rolled out in physical locations, such as supermarkets and on bus shelters in locations around the country.

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 immigration services website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/regularisation-of-long-term-undocumented-migrant-scheme/.

The international protection strand is open for applications until 7 August 2022, and full details of the scheme is available at: www.ipo.gov.ie.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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679. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is any progress in shortening the delays in renewal of visas; if she has any system for fast-tracking applications where an important family event requires travel arrangements to be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32291/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to the registration and renewal process for immigration permissions.

Since the onset of the pandemic, immigration permissions were extended nine times, which meant that people who held a valid permission to be in the State in March 2020 were legally permitted to remain until 31 May 2022.

These extensions were made in the context of an uncertain health and international travel situation to provide assistance and assurance to people who use our immigration services.

Now that those circumstances are returning to normal, it is important that we also return to a more normal way of doing business. This includes in relation to first-time registrations and renewals, and processes and procedures are in place to allow customers to do so.

As part of my Department’s ongoing work to meet the current unprecedented demand for first-time registration appointments, at the Registration Office Burgh Quay, on 10 January 2022, a Freephone service (1800 741 741) was introduced for customers. The current operating hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and all appointments for Dublin based customers to register their immigration permission for the first time are now issued through this service. Operators offer one appointment per call, unless it is for an identifiable family group.

To date, the service has provided 27,428 appointments with a further 7,499 appointments booked to early August. Applications are currently being processed on a seven days a week basis.

Dublin based customers who are seeking to renew their permission can continue to do so online at: inisonline.jahs.ie/user/login. Since its introduction in July 2020, the online renewal process has completed approximately 138,000 applications.

Customers wishing to renew an immigration permission may apply online up to 12 weeks in advance of their current permission’s expiration date. Current processing times are longer than usual because of extremely high demand. The Registration Office is working to process renewals as quickly as possible. I have significantly increased staff capacity to process the applications on hand. Staff are supporting customers who have travel plans in place through the customer service helpdesk. Customers are asked to email my Department at immigrationsupport@justice.ie putting ‘Flights booked for Travel’ in the subject box. Customers should also include proof of paid flights in their name so that these applications can be prioritised.

My Department's Registration Office customer service team is also available to support customers who may have language difficulties or who may need assistance with translation. A number of multi-lingual videos describing the registration process and what to expect are available on my Department's website www.irishimmigration.ie.

My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only. First time registrations and renewals for customers outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network. The allocation of appointments with GNIB is a matter for An Garda Síochána.